^ 

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C.   C.    BRIANT 


HISTORY 


SIXTH    REGIMENT 

Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry. 


OF  BOTH 

THE  THREE  MONTHS' 
AND  THREE  YEARS'  SERVICES. 


This  work  contains,  not  only  a  complete  history  of  the  Sixth    Indiana 
Regiment,  its  trials  and  hardships,  the  battles  in  which  it  was  engaged, 
but  a  full  description  of  every  battle,  its  results,  etc.,  also  the  losses 
on  both  sides,  the  number  engaged  on  both  sides,  who  the  eorn- 
manding  officers  were,  etc.,  a  description  of  the  country 
and  the  people  and  a  thousand  other  items  of  gener.il 
interest  to   both  the  old  soldier  and    the  general 
reader,  interspersed  with  anecdotes  of  the  war. 
It  also  gives  a  record  of  every  man  that  ever 
belonged  to  the  regiment,  telling  when 
and  where  he  enlisted,  how  long  and 
in  what  capacity  he  served,  show 
ing  his  promotional  and  what 
finally    became    of    him, 
telling  whether  he  was 
killed    in    action, 

died  of  wounds 
or  disease,  was  cap 
tured  or  discharged,  etc., 
and  just  when  and  where  these 
things  happened.    Written  from  per 
sonal    knoifIeaK£   yn^l.the,   records,    by  the 
chosemHistorijm  o>f  the  I^eg\ifteni, 

VERSAILLES,  IND.  \/  :  '!  <J.  Vl}Ri«\fli"  Captain  Company  K. 


"*'»«•«*?  » •    »       •   •      *.«*•«•    ••«••*•• 

' 


INDIANAPOLIS: 

WM.   B.  BURFORD,   PRINTER  AND   BINDER. 


1891 


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-<\>    lUOdlhi   .If    -jjiji  •<•  .,::M!    'MJT    iii;   lii-ui!j:-«>.,Jl    i!T/!< 


InIfSeeM)ei-,  1881);  T 
•of  iliV  Kogriment.     To  itssiiiiu-  tfj'e 
'Of  sttert1^  fa^kjat  tins  Ink'' day,  it  *i'eim>d  to  iiii\ 
!a!  i'Oufage  tlfat  only  «m  old  Virteftm  '^od'IVl 
:    Eiit  I-dctoj^iirht-d:  t<v  liiako "fL^WoH. 
following  ^ai^fe  iircl;tlie  re^llt:'n;T6  at;- 
:; "'thl'sl   task  '  h;a^  •1|re(|iiii'0(l    mj  ^(iHktali't 
a'iid  Itib'or 'for -'tli^:piist ;;hv<v  VlVita,  sr^iU,  7f 
th^-^xJKvtatiV/n   of -the  fo\v  dUM^H's'  (if 
hny  rVgihteiit  Avtio  are  left,  ;I  ^MIFHio  liappV ^rl 
contented.     My  old  eonirades^iVAy;  at  tiiViefeVtliiiik 
that1  -I'h'aVO'  lo^t  si-glit  of  <>\Vi>; dear  'o-ld '4-ej^irifeiit, 
Wdl&fri  t-rfetl  ^to^v^Tt'e-a1  W^tm^'tSf  ifhcf'KAjfifty'rif 
tlie  CiiMyei-hlndi"     Bnr'tliey  iiWWl¥effl«ntf»eVl'iftlfe 
tliincr, .SpxV'-tj^t'is  tliH:titl»>ii^  MIX*  only  a  few  of  tin- 
old  bot^ Jeft >t\^  Kefttl  tbe  ^ov\kr and  it- ^iiii^t,\Uv\e< >i 1 1 - 
prebensive  enouj^li  to  reaeli  a  demand  outside  of 
ourselves.        It    is    to    be    hoped    that    this    "  Little 
Book"  will  pass  down   into  the  hands  of  our  chil 
dren,  relatives  and  friends,  as  a  "keepsake,    and  in 
order  to  make  it  interesting  to  all    readers,  1    have 
endeavored  to  make  it  a  *"•  readable  hook,    as  well 
as   a    Reo-Jinental   History.     At   this   late  day  it    is 
impossible  to  tfive  all  the  minor  points  of  our  camp 


IV  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    KKGIMKNT. 

I  iff.  and,  no  doubt,  many  Vf  ry  important  oiifs  liavf 
l)fen  overlooked.  But  tlie  part  the  Sixth  Indiana 
Infantry  took  in  tlie  great  task  of  helping  to  crush 
tlif  great  Rebellion  has  never  been  lost  sight  of 
for  a  moment.  I  have  tried  to  give  our  dear  old 
Sixth  Regiment  all  the  honor  due  it,  without  de 
tracting  from  that  of  others.  The  facts  as  stated 
are  true  as  I  understand  them,  and  while  some  of 
my  comrades  may  differ  from  me  on  minor  points. 
They  will  please  remember  that  those  ditfereiices 
are  not  essential  to  a  true  history  of  our  regiment. 
Of  one  thing  I  feel  satisfied,  and  that  is  this,  that 
the  warm  feeling  our  bovs  have  for  our  dear  old 
regiment  will  not  be  lessened  any  by  reading  this 
work.  While  our  children  will  learn  to  reverence 
the  memory  of  the  men  who  endured  such  hard 
ships  and  suffering  for  the  preservation  of  mir 
country  and  the  Hag. 

Asking  the  indulgence  of  all  my  old  comrades 
for  whatever  may  seem  to  them  errors,  I  now  bid 
them  an  affectionate  farewell,  in  F..  C.  and  L. 

CHARLES  ('.  BRIAXT. 
./,////•  C'lptfiut  Co.  K,  tiM  RC<I.  Intl.  Vol  h\f. 


CONTENTS. 


THE  CALL  TO  ARMS j 

A  TABULATED  STATEMENT  OF  THE  OFFICERS  AND  ENLISTED 

MEN 12 

THE  ROUTE  TO  THE  FIELD  OF  BATTLE til 

SIXTH  REGIMENT  INDIANA  VOLUNTEERS,  THREE  MONTHS' 

SERVICE 76 

ENTERING  NASHVILLE 96 

THE  BATTLE  OF  SHILOH 107 

WE  Go  INTO  CAMP 125 

GENERAL  HALLECK  RELIEVED 136 

OUR  STAY  AT  CROW  CREEK 145 

GENERAL  BUELL  REMOVED 158 

THE  ARMY  REORGANIZED 170 

IN    MURFRKESBORO  AND  RESTING  UP 197 

THE  CHICKAMAUGA  CAMPAIGN 218 

THE  BATTLE  OF  CHICKAMAUGA 227 

THE  SIEGE  OF  CHATTANOOGA 252 

THE  BATTLE  OF  CHATTANOOGA 268 

WE  MARCH  TO  THE  RELIEF  OF  BURNSIDE 287 

ATLANTA  CAMPAIGN 306 

THE  BATTLE  OF  NEW  HOPE 316 

THE  MOVE  FROM  KENNESAW 325 

DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  ROUTE  HOME 335 

TABULATED  STATEMENT,  ETC.,  WHICH  SHOWS  THE  RECORD 
OF  EVERY  MAN  THAT  EVER  BELONGED  TO  THE  REGI 
MENT,  IN  THE  THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE 344 


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MKAO    ATX  A.IT  A 
'iO  3JTTAH   3HT 

wi  a'/oH  an! 


THOMAS   T.  CRITTENDEN. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  SIXTH  REGIMENT. 


CHAPTER   I. 

THE  NEWS  OF  THE  FALL  OF  FORT  SUMTER. 

The  call  to  arms — Indiana  not  prepared  for  war — The  people 
rally  to  the  rescue— Great  excitement  among  the  people- 
Governor  Morton's  call  to  form  regiments — A  great  rush  for 
first  place— Martial  mtinic  rings  through  the  air — The  Sixth 
Indiana  organized  April  25,  '61 — She  starts  for  the  front. 

The  news  of  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter  was  con 
firmed,  after  several  days  and  nights  of  intense 
suspense,  by  a  dispatch  received  at  Indianapolis, 
on  Sunday  morning,  the  14th  of  April,  1861.  On 
that  day  the  loyal  people  of  the  United  States 
abandoned  the  field  of  argument,  and  ceased  to 
discuss  measures  and  plans  for  the  peaceable 
restoration  of  the  national  authority  in  the  revolted 
States,  and,  with  singular  unanimity  and  deter 
mination,  accepted  the  issue  of  war  as  the  only 
means  left  to  save  and  perpetuate  the  national  ex 
istence  and  the  priceless  liberties  so  long  enjoyed. 

The  unprepared  condition  of  Indiana  at  this 
junction  is  a  matter  concerning  which  no  intelli 
gent  man  is  ignorant.  She  had  no  money,  no 
1 


2  i;|SYOK;Y  4OI-\4;HK    SIXTU     KKOI.M  I:N  I  . 

arms  or  munitions,  no  organized  militia.  The  po 
sition  of  Governor  Morton,  \\lio  hail  harely  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  was  surrounded  witli 
responsibilities  and  embarrassments  before  un 
known  and  seemingly  almost  insurmountable,  but 
wit)i  a  full  understanding  of  the  patriotic  disposi 
tion  of  the  people,  and  an  unfaltering  confidence 
in  the  justice  of  the  cause  in  which  be  \va>  about 
to  engage.  not  a  moment  was  lost  in  hesitation  or 
distrust. 

The  telegraph  on  the  morning  of  the  lf>th  bore 
the  following  message  from  the  Governor  to  Pres- 
idcnt  Lincoln  at  Washinton  : 


IV\K<TTIYI:   IJKPAKT.MKNT  <n-    IMHANA,  } 
INDIAN  A  FOLIS,  April  K>,  1X61.         J 

To  Aln-«h<<in    I/'iirol  ,,.  I'r,  .»;</!  tit  of  the   United  Staff*: 

On   behalf  of  the   State   of  Indiana.  I    tender  to 

you,  for  the  defence   nf  the    Nation,  and  to  uphold 

the  authorit  v  of  t  In-  (  ;«>veniment  .  /«  //  th<m.«itml  melt. 

Signed.  OLIVEH    T.    Mnin^x. 

fiitn  rnoi-  of'  lii'Hona. 

The  same  day  the  President  issued  his  procla 
mation,  calling  forth  the  militia  of  the  several 
States  of  the  I'n  ion.  to  the  aggregate  number  of 
seventy-five  thousand  volunteers,  in  order  to  sup 
press  the  rebellion  and  cause.'  the  laws  to  be  duly 
executed.  The  tpiota  of  Indiana  \va>  subsequently 
fixed  by  the  Secretary  of  \Var  at  six  regiments  of 
infantry  or  riflemen,  comprising,  in  officers  and  men, 
four  thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty-three,  to 


THE    FALL    OF    FORT    SUMTER.  3 

serve  for  the  period  of  three  months,  unless  sooner 
discharged.  On  the  16th  the  Governor  issued  a 
proclamation,  briefly  reciting  the  acts  of  the  rebel 
lion  which  had  brought  on  the  war,  and  calling 
upon  the  loyal  and  patriotic  men  of  the  State  to 
the  number  of  six  regiments,  to  organize  them 
selves  into  military  companies,  and  forthwith  re 
port  the  same  to  the  Adjutant-General,  in  order 
that  they  might  be  speedily  mustered  into  the 
service  of  the  United  States.  The  Honorable  Lewis 
Wallace,  of  Crawfordsville,  who  had  served  in  the 
Mexican  War,  and  had,  as  a  legislator  and  citizen, 
taken  a  deep  interest  in  military  affairs,  was  ail- 
pointed  AdjutanT-General 

Colonel  Thomas  A.  Morris,  of  Indianapolis,  a 
graduate  of  the  United  States  Military  Academy, 
and  an  eminent  citizen,  was  appointed  Quarter- 
Master-General,  and  Isaiah  Mansur,  of  Indianap 
olis,  an  experienced  and  prominent  merchant,  was 
appointed  Commissary-General 

Instructions  were  issued  in  general  orders  by 
the  Adjudant  General  for  the  formation  of  com 
panies  ;  the  several  military  departments  were 
speedily  organized  for  business,  and  all  available 
measures  taken  to  till  the  quota  with  the  least  pos 
sible  delay. 

To  meet  the  extraordinary  condition  of  affairs 
the  Governor  issued  his  call  on  the  19th  of  April 
to  the  members  of  the  Legislature,  requiring  them 
to  convene  in  special  session,  at  the  State  Capital, 
on  the  24th. 


4  IIISIOKY    ol     THK    SIX'IH    REGIMENT. 

In  tlu-  meantime,  every  da>s  of  community 
manifested  the  wildest  entbusiam  and  most  \\\\> 
excitement;  public  meetings  to  faciliate  the  for 
mation  of  companies,  and  to  give  expression  to  the 
sentiments  of  the  people,  touching  their  duty  in 
the  pending  erisis.  were  lield  in  every  city,  town 
and  neighborhood,  and  an  ardent  and  unquench 
able  military  spirit  was  at  once  aroused  that  hid 
fair  to  embrace  in  its  sweep  every  able-bodied  man 
in  the  State. 

The  day  after  the  call  was  made  tive  hundred 
men  were  in  ramp,  and  the  Governor,  apprehen 
sive  (as  was  the  whole  country  at  the  time)  that 
an  effort  would  he  made  hy  the  rebels  to  take 
possession  of  tbe  Federal  Capital,  proposed  to  semi 
forward  half  a  regiment,  if  required,  although  un 
able  to  furnish  the  necessary  arms  and  equipments. 
Receiving  no  reply  to  this  otter  from  the  \\  at 
Department,  it  was  renewed  on  the  day  following, 
and  the  number  increased  to  one  thousand  men 

Hy  the  IWh.  three  days  after  the  call,  there  were 
twenty-four  hundred  men  in  camp,  and  arrivals 
continued  by  every  train.  So  rapid  did  volunteer 
ing  proceed,  in  less  than  seven  days  more  than 
twelve  thousand  men.  or  nearly  three  times  the 
quota*required.  had  been  tendered.  Contests  to 
secure  the  acceptance  of  companies  were  earnest 
and  frequent.  The  question  was  not.  ••  Who  will 
go?"  but  ••  Who  will  be  allowed  to  ^'o '.' "  In 
many  cases  companies  came  forward  without  or 
ders.  or  rather  in  defiance  of  orders,  in  the  hope 


THE    FALL   OF    FORT    SUMTER.  5 

that  they  could  be  received,  or  that  a  second  call 
would  at  once  be  made ;  and  frequently  their  en 
listment  rolls  contained  twice,  and  even  thrice,  the 
number  of  names  required.  Hundreds  who  were 
unable  to  get  into  companies  at  home  came  singly 
and  in  squads  to  the  general  rendezvous  on  their 
own  responsibility,  and  by  combining  with  others 
in  like  condition,  and  with  fragments  from  com 
panies  having  a  surplus,  formed  new  companies, 
and  joined  in  the  general  clamor  for  acceptance. 

The  response  was  as  gratifying  as  it  was  uni 
versal,  and  left  no  doubt  as  to  the  entire  and  last 
ing  devotion  of  Indiana  to  the  fortunes  of  the 
Union.  Like  the  sunlight  the  war  fever  per 
meated  every  locality.  The  "  old  flag  "  at  once 
became  sacred,  and  was  proudly  displayed  in  every 
breeze  from  the  highest  peaks  of  churches,  school 
houses  and  private  dwellings.  The  presentation 
of  a  stand  of  national  colors  by  the  patriotic  ladies 
to  each  company  w,as  rarely  omitted,  and  when 
ever  practical,  brass  bands  were  provided  to  escort 
them  to  the  general  camp  near  the  city,  located  in 
the  State  fair  grounds,  and  known  as  Camp 
Morton. 

Throughout  the  State  the  people  acted  in  the 
most  liberal  and  patriotic  manner,  providing  the 
men  with  blankets,  underclothing,  and  other  neces 
sary  supplies  which  the  authorities  could  not  at 
the  moment  furnish. 

Families,  suddenly  deprived  of  husbands,  fathers 
and  brothers,  upon  whom  they  were  dependent, 


6  HI>TOI;Y  OF  TIII-:  -IXTH  REGIMENT. 

wore  the  recipients  of  all  the  assistance  that  abun 
dant  hands  and  free  hearts  could  give. 

Several  railroad  companies  operating  in  tin- 
State  announced  that  they  would  carry  all  regu 
larly  enlisted  volunteers  free.  Donations  of  money 
in  munificent  sums,  were  made  by  citizens  and  by 
the  authorities  of  cities,  towns  and  counties  to  aid 
the  cause  in  various  ways;  and  a  number  of  banks 
and  many  wealthy  capitalists  offered  to  advance 
large  sums  to  the  State  until  provision  should  be 
made  by  the  Legislature,  or  the  General  Govern 
ment,  for  equipping  and  providing  for  the  troops. 
The  eminent  house  of  Winslow,  Lanier  &  Co.,  of 
Xew  York,  long  and  honorably  identified  with  the 
financial  history  of  the  State,  tendered  a  loan  of 
twenty-five  thousand  dollars  without  stipulations 
as  to  interest  or  the  time  when  it  should  be  repaid. 

The  General  Government  being  unable  to  fur 
nish  clothing  and  equipments,  required  by  the 
large  force  so  suddenly  brought  into  service,  the 
State  was  compelled,  through  the  Quartermaster- 
General  to  become  a  purchaser  of  these  supplies, 
in  open  market  at  home.  The  duties  of  the  Com 
missary-General,  in  subsisting  the  troops,  were 
equally  as  important  and  responsible.  Indeed 
every  "department  connected  with  the  service  was 
taxed  to  the  utmost;  the  duties  were  novel,  and 
the  officers  assigned  to  discharge  them  inexpe 
rienced  and  unskilled;  yet  better  supplies  were  not 
furnished  at  any  subsequent  period  during  the 
war,  or  at  so  cheap  a  rate. 


THE    FALL    OF    FORT    SITMTER.  7 

On  the  20th,  live  days  after  the  call,  orders  were 
issued  for  the  organization  of  the  regiments. 

Drs.  John  S.  Bobbe  and  Alois  D.  Gall  were  ap 
pointed  Medical  Inspectors  and  Major  (afterwards 
Major-General)  Thomas  J.  Wood  of  the  regular 
army,  who  had  been  specially  detailed  by  the  Wai- 
Department  for  the  purpose,  proceeded  to  muster 
the  troops  into  the  service  of  the  United  States. 

On  the  same  day,  the  Governor  finding  it  im 
possible  to  restrain  the  tide  of  volunteering  within 
the  narrow  limits  of  the  three  months'  call,  and 
being  impressed  with  the  necessity  and  importance, 
as  well  as  to  the  General  Government  as  to  the 
State,  of  immediately  placing  an  overwhelming 
force  in  active  service,  tendered  to  the  Secretary  of 
War  six  additional  regiments,  without  conditions 
as  to  the  term  of  service,  with  the  assurance  that 
they  would  be  organized  if  accepted  in  six  days. 
Communication  with  Washington  City  by  tele 
graph  being  cut  off,  no  response  to  this  offer  was 
received.  On  the  23d,  in  a  dispatch  forwarded  by 
special  messenger,  it  was  renewed,  and  the  Gover 
nor  at  the  same  time  expressed  his  determination 
to  at  once  put  the  six  additional  regiments  in 
camp  and  under  discipline,  and  hold  them  subject, 
at  least  for  a  time,  to  the  demand  of  the  Govern 
ment. 

In  every  quarter,  and  especially  in  the  counties 
bordering  on  the  Ohio  River,  the  most  serious  fears 
were  entertained  that  the  States  would  be  invaded 
by  rebel  bands,  known  to  be  organizing  in  Ken- 


HISTORY    01     THE    SIXTH    REGIMIM 

tucky  towns  on  the  border.  plundering  and  devas 
tating  the  country.  Every  movement  of  the  enemy 
indicated  an  early  demonstration  against  the  loyal 
people  north  of  the  Potomac  and  the  Ohio. 

The  determination  of  the  Governor  to  anticipate 
a  second  call  of  the  President.  by  organizing  and 
holding  in  readiness  a  well  disciplined  force,  was 
therefore  received  with  much  satisfaction,  particu 
larly  the  volunteers  who  had  tendered  their  ser 
vices,  and  were  impatiently  awaiting  at  their 
homes,  orders  to  march.  Public  confidence  was 
encouraged  by  the  prompt  measures  set  on  foot  by 
the  Governor  to  procure,  through  agents  dis 
patched  to  the  eastern  cities  and  to  Canada,  a  sup 
ply  of  first  class  arms  for  State  use,  and  by  the  or 
ganization  in  many  counties  of  companies  of  home 
guards,  who  were  armed,  for  the  time  being,  with 
squirrel  rifles  and  fowling  pieces,  gathered  up  in 
their  respective  neighborhoods. 

The  Legislature  met  in  extra  session  on  the  24rh 
of  April,  and,  in  a  spirit  of  entire  harmony,  pro 
ceeded  to  the  important  duty  of  devising  such 
measures  as  the  critical  state  of  the  country 
seemed  to  demand.  The  Governor,  in  his  special 
message,  after  reviewing  the  history  of  the  seces 
sion  movement,  and  the  part  already  performed  by 
tin-  State  in  eompliance  with  the  President's  call, 
made  tin-  following  recommendations:  "In  view 
of  all  the  facts  it  becomes  the  imperative  duty  of 
Indiana  to  make  suitable  preparations  for  the  con- 
by  providing  ample  supplies  of  men  and  money 


THE    FALL    OF    FORT    SUMTER.  9 

to  insure  the  protection  of  the  State  and  the  Gen 
eral  Government  in  the  prosecution  of  the  war  to 
a  speedy  and  successful  termination.  I,  therefore, 
recommend  that  one  million  of  dollars  be  appro 
priated  for  the  purchase  of  arms  .and  munitions  of 
war,  and  for  the  organization  of  such  portion  of 
the  militia  as  may  be  deemed  necessary  for  the 
emergency;  that  a  militia  system  be  devised  and 
enacted,  looking  chiefly  to  volunteers,  which  shall 
insure  the  greatest  protection  to  the  State,  and 
unity  and  efficiency  of  the  force  to  be  employed. 
That  a  law  be  enacted  defining  and  punishing 
treason  against  the  State;  that  a  law  be  enacted 
suspending  the  collection  of  debts  against  those 
who  may  be  actually  employed  in  the  military  ser 
vice  of  the  State  or  of  the  United  States;  that 
suitable  provision  be  made  by  the  issue  of  bonds 
'of  the  State  or  otherwise,  for  raising  the  monev 
herein  recommended  to  be  appropriated ;  and  that 
all  necessary  and  proper  legislation  be  had  to  pro 
tect  the  business  property  and  citizens  of  the  State 
under  the  circumstances  in  which  they  are  placed." 
The  Legislature,  to  replenish  the  treasury, 
promptly  authorized  a  war  loan  of  two  millions  of 
dollars,  and  made  the  following  appropriations : 
For  general  military  purposes,  one  million  dollars; 
for  the  purchase  of  arms,  five  hundred  thousand 
dollars;  for  contingent  military  expenses,  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  expenses  of  or 
ganizing  and  supporting  the  militia  for  two  years, 
one  hundred  and  fortv  thousand  dollars. 


10  HISTORY    OF    THE   SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

The  following  laws  were  also  passed :  To  or 
gan  I/A*  the  Indiana  Militia  :  to  provide  tor  tin-  «-in- 
ployment  of  six  regiments  of  State  troops;  to 
provide  for  the  appointment  of  a  State  Pay 
master  ;  to  authorize  counties  to  appropriate  money 
for  the  protection  and  maintenance  of  the  families 
of  volunteers,  for  the  purchase  of  arms  and  equip 
ments,  and  for.  raising  and  maintaining  military 
companies ;  and  to  provide  for  the  punishment  of 
persons  guilty  of  giving  material  aid  and  com 
fort  to  the  enemy  of  this  State,  or  of  the  United 
States,  in  a  time  of  war. 

The  three  months'  regiments  were  fully  organ 
ized,  by  the  appointment  of  field  and  staff  officers, 
on  the  2'>th  of  April,  and  a  thorough  course  of 
military  training  immediately  instituted. 

In  the  Mexican  War  the  State  had  five  regiments, 
numbered  from  the  First  to  the  Fifth  inclusive. 
To  avoid  historical  confusion,  therefore,  the  new 
regiments  were  numbered  by  beginning  with  the 
Sixth.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Sixth  Regi 
ment  was  the  first  one  raised  in  the  State  in  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion. 

Among  the  names  composing  the  old  Sixth 
Regiment  for  the  three  months'  service,  may  be 
found  the  "  Brave  Boys  "  who  were  first  to  answer 
their  countries  call  for  help.  In  the  contest  for 
first  place  they  won.  It  was  purely  a  game  of 
patriotism.  It  could  not  be  said  of  them,  that;  "to 
the  victors  belong  the  spoils,"  as  there  were  no 
spoils  in  the  case.  It  was  a  pure  and  patriotic 


THE    FALL    OF    FORT    SUMTER.  11 

disposition  to  bare  their  breasts  in  the  face  of  the 
enemy  of  their  country,  and  there  was  written  in 
their  countenance,  in  letters  of  fire  that  could  not 
be  mistaken — victory  or  death. 

But  these  are  not  the  only  places  where  the 
name  of  the  Grand  Old  Sixth  will  appear  first 
among  the  Indiana  patriots.  Its  members  are 
among  the  first  to  appear  in  the  book  known  as 
Indiana's  "Roll  of  Honor;"  and  not  only  this, 
but,  when  generations  yet  unborn  shall  visit  the 
great  Soldiers'  Monument,  at  Indianapolis,  and 
are  gazing  _  with  wonder  and  astonishment  upon 
this  grand  structure,  erected  in  honor  of  the 
Indiana  soldier,  they  may  read,  chiseled  in  pure 
white  granite  in  letters  that  can  never  be  erased, 
and  standing  at  the  head  of  the  list,  away  up  near 
the  very  top  of  this  grand  tower,  the  name  of  the 
Grand  Old  Sixth  Indiana  Volunteers. 

The  companies  comprising  the  Sixth  Regiment 
for  the  three  months'  service  were  raised  in  differ 
ent  parts  of  the  State,  and  each  actuated  hy  a 
common  cause,  that  of  organization  for  the  defense 
of  the  Union,  were  drawn  to  a  common  center  for 
that  purpose;  and  at  Indianapolis  in  Camp  Mor 
ton,  on  the  25th  day  of  April,  1861,  the  organiza 
tion  of  the  regiment  was  completed,  and  it  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  and  was 
composed  of  the  following  officers  and  men. 


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60  niMoijy   OK  TIM:  SIXTH    KI:<,IMKM. 


A  recapitulation  shows  that  hy  actual  count  the 
Sixth  Regiment  tor  the  three  months'  service  when 
it  left  Camp  Morton,  at  Indianapolis,  for  the  front 
consisted  of— 

Regimental  officers            ..............    ...  7 

Regimental  non-commissioned  staff  ............  4 

Line  officers    ...................    ...  30 

First  Sergeants                 .....    ............  10 

Duty  Sergeants  (actual  count)    .............  31 

Corporals  (actual  count)  ...........    ......  40 

Musicians    ...............                       ...  20 

Privates  in  Company  A  64 

B  .................  64 

"        C    .    .    .    .  .............  64 

"        D  .    .    .   .   ...........   .    .  64 

«      .  E  ........       .   *    .......  64 

«                    "        F  ..........   »   ......  64 

"        G  .    .        ..........:.  64 

«        H  .    .    .           ....   ........  64 

I   ........   ......    .  64 

«         K          .....   .   .    .   .    .   .....  64 

Making  the  whole  number  of  men  in  regiment  .....  782 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  ROUTE  TO  THE  FIELD  OF  BATTLE. 

Engaged  in  the  first  battle  of  the  war — Treason  no  crime  in  the 
South— The  boasting  rebels  put  to  flight— They  are  whipped 
in  every  fight — W.  Virginia  cleared  of  armed  rebels — The 
Sixth  Indiana  did  her  part  in  the  work — The  work  done,  she 
starts  for  home— Mustered  out  at  Indianapolis — What  became 
of  her  officers. 

The  Sixth  Regiment  was  one  of  the  six  regi 
ments  of  three  months'  men  organized  under  the 
call  of  President  Lincoln  for  75,000  men.  It  was 
mustered  into  service  at  Indianapolis.  April  25, 
1861,  and  placed  under  command  of  Thomas  T. 
Crittenden  as  Colonel.  On  the  30th  day  of  May  the 
regiment  left  Indianapolis  by  way  of  Cincinnati 
and  Parkersburg  for  the  scene  of  conflict  in  West 
Virginia,  being  first  fully  armed,  equipped  and 
clothed.  Arriving  at  Webster  on  the  2d  day  of 
June,  it  was  marched  with  other  troops  the  same 
night,  through  a  drenching  rain,  a  distance  of  four 
teen  miles,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  June, 
took  part  in  the  first  battle  of  the  war,  at  Philippi. 
And  right  here  let  us  place  another  star  in  the 
crown  of  the  Sixth  Regiment.  She  was  not  only 
the  first  to  organize  in  defense  of  the  Union, 
but  was  also  the  first  Indiana  regiment  to  meet 
the  enemy  on  the  field  in  open  combat.  It  is  very 


H2  HI-IOKV    01     THK    SIXTH     RF.<,IMEXT. 

evident  that  these  brave  men  fully  realized  the 
situation.  They  were  fully  aware  of  the  boastful 
character  of  the  Southern  slave-drivers.  Tin-  men 
north  of  what  was  then  known  as  "  Mason  and 
Dixon's  Line,"  which  divided  the  slave  from  the 
free  States,  were  insulted  by  the  same  slave-drivers 
by  being  called  u  Yankees,"  u Mudsills"  and  "Cow 
ards."  Having-  the  power  in  their  own  Viands, 
they  made  the  Northern  States  the  field  and  her 
citizens  the  instruments  of  their  bidding  for  run 
ning  down  their  fugitive  slaves.  Under  the  ad 
ministration  of  James  Buchanan,  a  President  of 
their  own  choice,  these  Southern  autocrats  had 
succeeded  in  exhausting  the  treasury  of  the  United 
States;  destroying  her  credit  both  at  home  and 
abroad;  destroying  the  arsenals  in  all  the  North 
ern  States,  by  stealing  the  arms  and  munitions  of 
war  and  taking  them  into  the  South;  by  sending 
the  navy  into  foreign  waters  and  away  from  home, 
and  finally  by  taking  up  arms  against  the  General 
Government. 

Insulting  the-tiag,  and  threatening  the  very  lite 
of  the  Nation,  were  everyday  demonstrations 
throughout  the  entire  Southern  States.  The 
North  had  borne  with  all  these  treasonable  demon 
strations  until  forbearance  ceased  to  be  a  virtue, 
and  it  simply  became  a  matter  of  necessity  for 
Union  men — loyal  men — to  take  up  arms  in  s<-lt- 
defense.  The  members  of  the  Sixth  Indiana  Vol 
unteers  were  fully  aware  of  all  these  facts,  and 
when  they  met  the  enemy  at  1'hilippi  they  m«  t 


ROUTE    TO    THE    FIELD    OF    BATTLE.  63 

them  as  patriots  against  traitors,  as  heroes  against 
hirelings.  On  one  side  fighting  to  perpetuate  the 
life  of  the  Nation,  and  the  preservation  of  the 
Union,  while  on  the  other  side  they  were  fighting 
to  perpetuate  human  slavery,  and  threatening  a 
total  destruction  of  the  Union  and  everything 
that  should  be  dear  to  an  American  citizen. 
Philippi  being  the  first  battle  of  the  rebellion, 
and  consequently  the  first  opportunity  that  any 
loyal  men  had  for  testing  this  question  as  to  who 
were  the  cowards,  the  Sixth,  in  company  with  the 
other  regiments  of  the  brigade,  determined  to  set 
tle  the  matter  right  there  at  Philippi.  The  result 
is  a  matter  of  history.  The  rebels  were  defeated 
and  driven  from  the  field,  suffering  considerable 
loss  in  arms,  ammunition  and  army  stores,  with 
many  prisoners. 

One  historian,  speaking  of  the  battle  of  Phil 
ippi,  says  that  "  on  the  morning  of  the  2d  of  June 
a  movement  was  made  by  the  troops  under 
General  Morris,  forming  a  part  of  the  force  of  this 
department,  to  dislodge  the  rebels,  under  Colonel 
Potterfield,  who  held  Philippi,  in  Harbour  County, 
Virginia,  with  fifteen  hundred  to  two  thousand 
troops.  The  command  was  divided  into  two  di 
visions,  under  Colonels  Kelley  and  Lander,  and  the 
plan  was  to  attack  the  place  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  Colonel  Kelley  in  the  rear  and  Colonel 
Lander  in  front.  Storm  and  darkness,  however, 
caused  the  combination  to  fail.  As  Lander  ap 
proached  Philippi  a  woman  fired  two  shots  as  an 


T>4  IIIsTOKY     OF    T1IF-:    SIXTH     HK<iIMKNT. 

alarm,  and  then  sent  her  little  boy  across  the 
mountains  to  give  I>otterfield  notice.  Kellcy 
missed  his  point,  and  instead  of  coming  in  on  the 
Beverly  road,  ahove  the  town,  to  cut  off  the  rehel 
retreat,  <lid  so  below  the  town,  and  much  behind 
time.  Thus  the  enemy  were  apprised  of  the  move 
ment,  and  were  enabled  to  eseape  with  slight  loss, 
leaving  their  camp  equipage  and  a  number  of 
small  arms  behind." 

While  leading  a  charge,  Colonel  Kelley  received 
a  shot  and  fell.  He  was  carried  to  the  rear,  and 
received  prompt  attention.  The  enemy  retired  to 
Leedsville,  two  miles  distant,  where  they  were 
again  vigorously  attacked  and  repulsed.  In  ac 
knowledgment  of  his  bravery  on  this  occasion, 
Colonel  Kelley  was  appointed  Brigadier-General 
of  the  Western  Virginia  troops. 

The  rebels  falling  back  upon  Beverly,  received 
large  re-enforcements,  and  again  advanced  toward 
Philippi,  taking  part  under  General  Garnett  at 
Laurel  Hill.  <  >n  the  llth  of  June  Colonel  Wallace, 
with  the  Eleventh  Indiana  Zouaves,  left  Cumber 
land,  Maryland,  for  Romney,  Hampshire  County, 
Virginia,  twenty  miles  distant,  where  were  sta 
tioned  five  hundred  secession  troops.  After  a 
sharp  conflict  he  completely  routed  them,  sei/ed 
a  quantity  of  stores  and  ammunition,  and  returned 
to  Cumberland.  The  rebels  retreated  toward 
Winchester. 

The  rebels  were  now  concentrated  in  considera 
ble  numbers  in  Western  Virginia.  The  Allegheny 


ROUTE    TO    THE   FIELD    OF    BATTLE.  (>.> 

Mountains  running  in  a  Southwesterly  course 
from  Cumberland  to  Co  vington,  Virginia,  presented 

a  wall  through  which  the  rebel  forces  could  escape 
into  Eastern  Virginia  only  at  the  Cheat  Mountain 
pass.  This  was  held  at  the  close  of  .June  by  a 
considerable  force  under  General  Jackson. 

From  Cheat  Mountain  the  road  proceeds  north 
erly,  and  parallel  to  the  mountain  range,  through 
Huttonville  to  Rich  Mountain,  which  was  held  bv 
the  rebel  Colonel  Pegram,  with  three  thousand 
men  and  some  five  or  six  guns,  and  was  strongly- 
entrenched.  From  Rich  Mountain  the  road  passes 
through  Beverly  to  Laurel  Hill, held  by  Brigadier- 
General  Garnett.  Thus  the  enemy  held  three 
strong  positions,  and  had,  in  all,  probably  fourteen 
thousand  men. 

On  the  6th  of  'July  General  Morris  received 
orders  to  move  his  whole  force  to  within  a  mile 
of  the  enemy's  fortifications  at  Laurel  Hill.  On 
the  10th  sharp  skirmishes  took  place  between  his 
advance,  composed  of  Indiana  and  Ohio  troops, 
and  some  Georgia  troops  belonging  to  Garnett's 
force ;  the  enemy's  cavalry  attacked,  and  were  re 
pulsed  with  a  few  rounds  of  shell,  and  General 
Morris  so  disposed  his  troops  as  to  guard  every 
outlet  from  Laurel  Hill  except  that  which  leads  to 
Beverly.  In  the  meantime  the  column  under 
McClellan  pursued  a  route  more  to  the  west,  and 
arrived  near  Rich  Mountain  on  the  10th  of  July. 

On  the   llth    Brigadier-General    Rosecrans  ad- 


W»  Mi-Toi:y   01     rni;  SIXTH   KKOI.MKNT. 

vanced  with  his  column,  composed  of  Indiana 
and  Ohio  troops,  and  by  a  forced  march  of  eight 
miles  through  the  mountain  reached  the  turnpike. 
three  miles  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  at  Rich 
Mountain,  defeated  his  advance  guard,  and  cap 
tured  two  guns.  General  McClellan,  advancing  in 
front,  completed  the  defeat  of  the  rebels,  who  lost 
all  their  guns  wagons,  etc.  Uosecrans  immedi 
ately  pushed  on  to  Beverly,  following  the  flying 
enemy.  The  loss  on  the  Union  side  was  twentv 
killed  and  forty  wounded. 

On  the  12th  Colonel  IVgram,  with  six  hundred 
rebel  soldiers,  surrendered  unconditionally  to 
General  McClellan. 

While  these  events  were  taking  place,  General 
Garnett.  at  Laurel  Hill,  hearing  of  the  approach 
of  McClellan.  to  Beverly,  left  Laurel  Hill  in  great 
haste  for  Cheat  Mountain  pass,  in  hopes  to  pas> 
Beverly  before  McClellan  should  reach  it.  On  the 
morning  of  the  12th  the  evacuation  was  discovered, 
and  the  Xinth  Indiana,  of  Morris's  division,  imme 
diately  advanced  in  pursuit.  The  rebels,  when 
within  three  miles  of  Beverly,  met  fugitives  from 
Uich  Mountain,  and  returned  toward  Laurel  Hill, 
whence  Morris's  force  was  approaching,  thus 
putting  them  between  two  tires.  They,  therefore, 
took  the  road  to  the  right,  which  goes  through 
Leedsville  to  the  Cheat  River. 

General  Morris,  who  had  been  in  front  of  Laurel 
Hill,  pursued  a  mile  or  two  beyond  Leedsville,  and 
t  hen,  at  11  o'clock  p.  .M..  halted,  until  '•>  o'clock  A.  \i.. 


ROUTE    TO    THE    FIELD    OF   BATTLE.  67 

when  the  pursuit  was  resumed,  amid  incessant 
rain.  The  enemy,  meantime,  struck  the  Cheat 
River,  and  pursued  the  mountain  road  down  the 
valley.  Our  advance  composed  of  Sixth,  Seventh 
and  Ninth  Indiana  arid  Fourteenth  Ohio  regiments, 
about  two  thousand  men,  pushed  on,  guided 
through  the  mountain  gullies  by  the  tents,  camp- 
furniture,  provisions,  and  knapsacks  thrown  from 
the  wagons  of  the  rebels  to  facilitate  their  flight. 
Our  troops  forded  Cheat  River  four  times,  and, 
finally,  about  1  o'clock  came  up  with  the  enemy's 
rear  guard.  The  Fourteenth  Ohio  advanced  rap 
idly  to  the  ford,  in  which  the  enemy's  wagons 
were  standing,  when  suddenly  the  rebels,  about 
four  thousand  strong,  opened  a  furious  tire  on 
them  with  small  arms  a~r»d  two  rifled  cannon  from 
the  bluff  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  about 
two  hundred  yards  distant,  where  they  had  been 
concealed.  The  tiring  was  too  high,  cutting  the 
trees  above  the  heads  of  the  men.  Our  men  re 
turned  the  lire  with  spirit,  meanwhile,  two  pieces 
of  the  Federal  artillery  came  up  and  opened  on  the 
rebels.  The  Indiana  troops  then  advanced  to  sup 
port  the  Fourteenth  Ohio's  left,  while  the  Seventh 
Indiana  crossed  the  river  between  the  two  fires, 
and  came  in  on  the  enemy's  right  flank.  The  rebels 
soon  fled  in  great  disorder,  leaving  their  finest 
piece  of  artillery. 

On  the  13th  of  .July  at  the  next  ford  (Carrick's), 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  further  on,  General  Garnett 
attempted  to  rally  his  forces,  when  the  Seventh 


6*  HI -TORY    OF    THK    SIXTH     RKiil.MKNT. 

Indiana  came  up  in  hot  pursuit, and  another  ln-isk 
engagement  ensued.  General  Garnett  was  slid 
dead,  when  his  army  fled  in  contusion  toward  ST. 
George  to  escape  into  Northern  Virginia.  Thev 
were  pursued  a  few  miles,  but  as  the  Union  forces 
were  much  fatigued  with  their  forced  march  of 
more  than  twenty  miles,  with  but  little  rest  from 
the  march  of  the  previous  day.  General  Morris 
refused  to  let  them  pursue  further. 

Among  the  fruits  of  the  victory  was  the  capture 
of  the  rebel  camp  at  Laurel  Hill,  with  a  large 
amount  of  tents,  camp-equipage,  baggage  wagons, 
a  field  camp-chest,  supposed  to  contain  all  their 
money,  two  regimental  flags  and  a  large  number 
of  rebel  prisoners.  The  losses  in  these  four  en 
gagements  were  as  follows  : 


UNION. 

REBELS. 

Killed 

Wounded. 

Killed. 

Wounded.  Prisoners. 

Laurel  Hill   .    .    . 

4 

7 

25 

40 

16 

Rich  Mountain.    . 

20 

40 

50 

100 

110 

Beverly             .   . 

HOO 

St.  George.    .    .   . 

13 

40 

60 

140 

UUv 

300 

Total  ...  87  135  280          1,025 

In  the  above  engagements,  the  Sixth  Regiment 
had  not  a  single  man  killed  or  wounded.  Their 
was,  however,  one  poor  fellow  captured.  The  Fife 
Major,  Mr.  William  B.  Fletcher,  of  Indianapolis, 
for  some  cause,  which  is  not  given,  allowed  him 
self  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  As  Mr. 
Fletcher  did  not  carry  a  gun,  and  was,  perhaps. 


ROUTE  HOME  AND  RECORD.  69 

not  required  to  be  "  right  up"  on  the  front  line,  it 
is  fair  to  presume  that  he  lingered  a  little  too  long 
at  some  old  farmer's  chicken  roost,  or  may  be  had 
his  eye  on  a  pig,  or  who  knows  but  what  he  was 
swinging  on  some  old  farmer's  yard  gate,  holding 
sweet  communion  with  one  of  Virginia's  bright- 
eyed  daughters.  But  whatever  the  cause  may  have 
been,  it  was  not  regarded  as  a  very  great  offense 
by  either  the  rebel  or  Union  boys,  as  there  is  no 
record  of  his  ever  being  court-martialed  by  the 
one,  or  shot  by  the  other,  in  fact  the  record  shows 
that  Mr.  Fletcher  was  exchanged,  and  returned 
home  and  was  mustered  out,  as  his  term  of  enlist- 
,ment  had  expired.  The  record  further  shows  that 
except  Joseph  G.  Scott,  who  died  on  the  road  as 
he  was  returning  home,  July  25th,  and  Nicholas 
F.  Wallace,  discharged  for  disability  on  May  30th; 
also,  Onier  F.  Beadle,  who  died  May  16th,  of  fever, 
at  Indianapolis,  and  John  Sayers,  who  died  at 
Grafton,  West  Virginia,  June  24th.  The  balance 
of  the  Regiment  returned  home  and  was  mustered 
out  at  Indianapolis,  August  2,  1861. 

The  Record  shows  that  Thomas  T.  Crittendeii, 
who  was  Colonel  of  the  Sixth  Regiment  in  the 
three  months'  service,  re-entered  the  service  as 
Colonel  of  the  Sixth  Regiment,. in  three  years' 
service. 

Hiram  Prather,  who  was  Lieutenant- Colonel  of 
the  Sixth  in  three  months'  service,  re-entered 
service  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Sixth  Regi 
ment  in  three  years'  service. 


70  HISTORY    01      THK    SIXTH    KU^IMKNT. 

John  Gerber,  Major  of  the  Sixth,  in  thivr  months' 
service;  re-entered  service  as  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Twenty-fourth  Regiment,  in  three  years'  service. 

Geo  W.  Wiley,  Adjutant  of  the  Sixth,  in  three 
months*  service:  re-entered  as  Adjutant  Thirty- 
ninth  Regiment,  in  three  years'  service. 

Charles  Schussler,  Surgeon  Sixth,  in  three 
months'  service;  re-entered  service  as  Surgeon 
Sixth  Regiment,  three  years'  service. 

John  W.Davis,  Assistant  Surgeon  Sixth,  in  three 
months'  service;  re-entered  service  as  Assistant 
Surgeon  in  Twenty-fourth  Regiment. 

Philemon  P.  Baldwin,  Captain  Company  A.  in 
three  months'  service;  re-entered  the  service  as 
Captain  in  Sixth  Regiment,  three  years'  service. 

Samuel  Russell,  First  Lieutenant  Company  A.  in 
three  months' service ;  re-entered  service  as  Cap 
tain  in  Sixth  Regiment,  three  years'  service. 

Augustus  H.  Abbott,  Captain  Company  B,tlnvc 
months' service  ;  re-entered  service  as  Major  Sixth 
Regiment,  three  years'  service. 

Allen  W.  Prather,  First  Lieutenant  Company 
B,  in  three  months'  service ;  re-entered  service  as 
Captain  in  Sixth  Regiment,  three  years'  service. 

William  C.  Wheeler,  Second  Lieutenant  Com 
pany  B,  in  three  months'  service ;  re-entered  service 
as  Captain  in  Thirty-eighth  Regiment,  three  year-' 
service. 

Charles  Childs,  Captain  Company  C,  thiv»« 
months' service;  re-entered  service  as  Captain  in 
Sixty-fifth  Regiment,  three  years'  service. 


RECORD    OF    PROMOTIONS.  71 

Richard  \V.  Meredith,  First  Lieutenant  Conipan  v 
0,  three  months'  service  ;  re-entered  service  as  First 
Lieutenant  Fifty-second  Regiment,  in  three  years' 
service. 

Alanson  Solomon,  Second  Lieutenant  Company 
0,  in  three  months'  service;  re-entered  service  as 
Second  Lieutenant  Thirty-ninth  Regiment,  three 
years'  service. 

Thomas  J.  Harrison,  Captain  Company  I),  in 
three  months'  service  ;  re-entered  service  as  Colonel 
Thirty-ninth  Regiment,  three  years'  service. 

Thomas  Herring,  First  Lieutenant  Company  D. 
in  three  months'  service  ;  re-entered  service  as  Cap 
tain  Thirty-ninth  Regiment,  three  years'  service. 

William  R.  Philips,  Second  Lieutenant  Company 
I),  in  three  months'  service:  re-entered  service  as 
First  Lieutenant  in  Thirty-ninth  Regiment,  three 
years'  service. 

Jeremiah  C.  Sullivan,  Captain  Company  E,  in 
three  months'  service  ;  re-entered  service  as  Colonel 
Thirteenth  Regiment,  three  years'  service. 

Rufus  Gale,  Second  Lieutenant  Company  E,  in 
three  months'  service,  was  promoted  First  Lieuten 
ant  and  afterwards  Captain  in  same  company ;  re- 
entered  service  as  First  Lieutenant  Thirty-ninth 
Regiment. 

William  C.  Moreau,  Captain  Company  F,  in  three 
months' service ;  re-entered  service  as  Captain  in 
Third  Cavalry. 

Robert  Allison,  First  Lieutenant  Company  F. 
in  three  months'  service;  re-entered  service  as 
Captain  Fifty-seventh  Regiment. 


.'2  lll-TMin     OF    THK    SIXTH     i;K<;IMI\l 


Ilagerman  Tripp,  Captain  Company  (*.  in  three 
months'  service  ;  re-entered  service  as  Captain  in 
Sixth  Regiment,  three  years'  service. 

George  W.  Kendrick,  Second  Lieutenant  Com 
pany  G,  three  months'  service  ;  re-entered  service 
as  Captain  in  Eighty-second  Regiment. 

Fielder  A.  Jones,  Captain  Company  H,  in  three 
months'  service  ;  re-entered  service  as  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Thirty-ninth  Regiment. 

John  D.  Evans.  Captain  Company  1,  in  three 
months'  service;  re-entered  service  as  Major  in 
Thirty-ninth  Regiment. 

John  F.  Longley,  First  Lieutenant  Company  1, 
in  three  mouths'  service,  as  Captain  in  Thirty- 
ninth  Regiment. 

George  A.  Wainwright,  Second  Lieutenant  Com 
pany  I,  three  months'  service;  re-entered  service 
as  First  Lieutenant  Thirty  ninth  Regiment. 

Alois  O.  Bachman,  Captain  Company  K,  in 
three  months'  service  ;  re-entered  service  as  Major 
in  Nineteenth  Regiment. 

William  F.  Days,  Second  Lieutenant  Company 
K,  three  months'  service  ;  re-entered  service  as 
First  Lieutenant  in  Sixty-seventh  Regiment. 

It  is  fair  to  presume  that  a  large  number  of  the 
boys  comprising  the  Sixth  Regiment,  three  months' 
service,  re-entered  the  service  again  in  some  man 
ner,  but  after  being  discharged  the  record  drops 
them  as  an  organization,  and  the  Sixth  Regiment 
Indiana  Volunteers  becomes  a  thing  of  the  past. 

And  now  that  we  are  about  to  bid  farewell  to 
these  brave  and  patriotic  veterans  of  the  old  Sixth 


CONGRATULATIONS.  78 

Regiment  of  the  three  mouths'  service,  we  can 
not  do  so  without  first  congratulating  them  on 
the  splendid  record  they  made  as  soldiers.  In 
company  with  other  Indiana  troops,  their  ener 
getic  and  able  movements  cleared  West  Virginia 
of  Confederate  forces.  This  is  what  they  went  to 
West  Virginia  to  do,  and  right  well  did  they  do 
their  work. 

Their  splendid  record  as  soldiers  and  success  in 
every  engagement  and  safe  return  home,  all  helped 
to  encourage  recruiting  for  three  years'  service 
more  than  any  other  inducement  that  could  have 
been  offered. 

At  the  expiration  of  their  term  of  service,  Major- 
General  McClellan  addressed  Governor  Morton  as 
folloAvs  : 

HEADQUARTERS  CAMP,  "| 

XEAR  BEVERLY,  W.  VA., 

JULY  21,  18(31.) 

GOVERNOR  O.  P.  MORTON,  Indianapolis,  Ind. : 

Governor,  I  have  directed  the  three  months" 
regiments  from  Indiana  to  move  to  Indianapolis, 
there  to  be  mustered  out  and  re-organized  for  the 
three  years'  service.  I  can  not  permit  them  to  re 
turn  to  you  without  again  expressing  my  high 
appreciation  of  the  distinguished  valor  and  endur 
ance  of  the  Indiana  troops,  and  my  hope  that  but 
a  short  time  will  elapse  before  I  have  the  pleasure 
of  knowing  that  they  are  again  ready  for  the 
field.  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
GEORGE  B.  MCCLELLAN, 
Major-  (r 


HI.-TOKY    «M     THi:    SIXTH    KK<;iMi:Vr. 


Brigadier  -General  T.  A.  Morris. 
the  brigade  of  which  the  Sixth  was  one  of  the 
regiments,  addressed  the  officers  and  soldiers  of 
his  brigade,  before  their  final  separation  at  Indian 
apolis,  in  this  manner: 

b<r  Olfiw*  find  Soldier*  of  the  Brigade: 

"  The  term  of  service  for  this  brigade  in  the 
Army  of  the  lTnited  States  having  expired,  and 
the  relations  of  officers  and  soldiers  about  to  In- 
dissolved,  the  General,  in  relinquishing  his  com 
mand,  deems  this  a  fit  occasion  to  express  his  en 
tire  approbation  of  the  conduct  of  the  brigade, 
whether  in  camp,  on  the  march,  or  in  the  field  of 
battle.  The  General  tenders  to  all  his  thanks  for 
the  soldierly  bearing,  cheerful  performance  of 
every  duty,  and  the  patient  endurance  of  the  pri 
vations  and  fatigues  of  campaign  life,  which  all 
have  so  constantly  exhibited.  Called  suddenly  by 
the  National  Executive  from  the  ease  and  luxu 
ries  of  home  life,  to  the  defense  of  our  Govern 
ment,  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  this  brigade  have 
voluntarily  submitted  to  the  privations  and  re 
straints  of  military  life  ;  and,  with  the  intelligence 
of  free  Americans,  have  acquired  the  arts  of  war 
as  readily  as  they  relinquished  their  pursuits  of 
peace.  They  have  cheerfully  endured  the  fatigue 
of  long  and  dreary  marches  by  day  and  night. 
through  rain  and  storm  ;  they  have  borne  the  ex 
haustion  of  hunger  for  the  sake  of  their  country. 
Their  labor  and  Buttering  were  not  in  vain.  The 


CONGRATULATIONS.  75 

foe  they  met  and  vanquished.  They  scattered  the 
traitors  from  their  secure  entrenchments  in  the 
gorges  of  Laurel  Hill,  stripped  of  their  munitions 
of  war  to  flee  before  the  vengeance  of  patriots. 

"  Soldiers,  you  have  now  returned  to  the  friends 
whose  prayers  went  with  you  to  the  field  of  strife. 
They  welcome  you  with  pride  and  exultation. 
Your  State  and  country  acknowledge  the  value 
of  your  labors.  May  your  future  career  be  as 
your  past  has  been — honorable  to  yourselves  and 
serviceable  to  your  count rv  !  " 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  REGIMENT  RE-ORGANIZED  FOR  THREE  YEARS. 

At  Camp  Noble,  North  Madison — Mustered  in  and  started  for  the 
front — The  Regiment  not  yet  fully  organized — Learning  to 
drill — Hay  foot,  straw  foot — Buell  as  a  drill-master — The 
ladies  of  Louisville  present  us  a  flag — Our  move  to  Bacon 
Creek — Camp  on  Green  River — Our  first  Christmas  dinner— 
A  terrible  night  on  picket — We  move  to  Nashville. 

Previous  to  the  return  of  the  three  months'  troops 
from  the  Western  Virginia  campaign,  Governor 
Morton  dispatched  messengers  to  all  the  Regimental 
Commanders,  with  letters  urging  them  to  re-enlist. 
after  remaining  a  reasonable  time  at  their  homes, 
for  three  years.  The  regiments  returned  the  latter 
part  of  July,  and  after  being  paid  and  mustered 
out,  arrangements  were  made  to  reorganize  them 
with  the  least. possible  delay.  This  was  accom 
plished  in  a  very  short  time,  under  the  auspices 
and  direction  of  their  former  Colonels.  The  Sixth 
Regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  three  months*' 
service,  August  2,  18H1,  and  under  special  author 
ity  from  the  War  Department  was  immediately  re 
organized  for  the  three  years'  service.  A  camp  of 
rendezvous  was  established  at  North  Madison  and 
called  Camp  Noble,  Colonel  T.  T.  Crittenden  ap 
pointed  Commandant.  Under  his  supervision  tin 


THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE.  77 

new  organization  was  completed  and  mustered 
into  the  service,  September  20,  1861,  for  three 
years.  Colonel  Crittenden  obtained  permission 
the  same  day  of  its  organization,  although  the 
regiment  lacked  one  company  of  being  full,  in 
fact  there  were  only  about  five  hundred  men  in 
camp  at  the  time,  to  take  the  regiment  to  Ken 
tucky,  then  invaded  by  the  rebel  forces  under 
Buckner.  Without  waiting  for  uniforms  this  por 
tion  of  the  Sixth  Regiment  took  steamer  for  Louis 
ville,  reaching  there  the  same  evening,  and  was 
the  first  body  of  troops  to  enter  Kentucky  from  the 
Northern  States. 

Immediately  on  its  arrival  it  was  dispatched  by 
way  of  the  Nashville  Railroad  to  Muldraugh's 
Hill,  forty  miles  from  Louisville,  and  encamped  at 
a  point  a  few  miles  north  of  Elizabethtown,  on  the 
22d  day  of  September.  On  the  arrival  of  the  Louis 
ville  Legion,  and  the  Thirty-eighth  and  Thirty- 
ninth  Indiana  Regiments,  the  Sixth  was  moved 
beyond  Elizabethtown  and  posted  in  the  advance 
near  Nolin  Creek.  FTere  it  was  joined  by  three 
hundred  recruits,  which  had  left  Madison  on  the 
9th  of  October,  in  charge  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Hiram  Prather.  Out  of  these  three  hundred  re 
cruits  Company  "  K  "  was  formed  and  attached  to 
the  Sixth,  completing  its  organization.  A  large 
force  of  Union  troops  was  soon  concentrated  in 
this  vicinity,  wrhen  brigade  and  division  organ 
izations  were  perfected.  The  Sixth  was  assign ed 
to  Rousseau's  Brigade,  of  McCook's  Division,  and 


7*  HI>TOI:Y  or  TIIK  SIXTH   KK«;IMKXT. 

inarched  with  this  portion  of  Buell's  army  to  \iun- 
t'ordsville,  Woodsonville,  and  Bowling  Green,  iv- 
niaining  at  the  latter  place  until  March  1862,  when 
it  marched  to  Nashville,  and  went  into  camp  near 
that  city.  The  principal  business  of  the  Sixth 
Regiment,  as  well  as  all  the  troops  of  the  whole 
army  up  to  this  date  was  to  drill  and  learn  disci 
pline,  to  he  educated  in  the  art  of  Avar  was  a  mat 
ter  of  vital  importance  ;  not  only  the  success  of  our 
arms  but  the  safety  of  our  troops  depended  upon, 
not  alone  the  skill  and  ability  of  the  commanding 
officers,  but  the  well  trained  and  educated  troops 
who  should  know  how  to  execute  the  orders  given. 

There  were  perhaps  more  men  who  studied  and 
were  educated,  in  the  art  of  war,  in  the  winter  of 
18t)l-*2,  than  will  ever  again  be  called  upon  to  take 
like  lessons,  in  the  history  of  our  country. 

One  of  the  wonders  of  the  civilized  world,  and 
one  that  astonished  and  caused  a  universal  com 
ment  upon  the  subject,  was  to  see  men  who  weiv 
called  from  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life,  hurriedly 
thrown  together  in  the  same  company,  young  men 
and  old  men,  active,  sprightly  fellows  in  the  same 
file  with  awkward,  clumsy  ones,  so  skillfully  drilled 
ia  the  different  steps  and  movements,  that  they 
were  the  admiration  of  the  most  highly  educated 
West  Pointer  and  military  disciplinarian. 

Let  those  who  may  critici-c  (ieneral  Buell,  but 
it  can  not  be  denied  that  to  his  skill  and  ability  a- 
an  educated  military  man.  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
herland  owes  its  future  success  and  fame,  achieved 


THREE  YEARS'  SERVFCE.  79 

iu  its  many  hard  fought  battles.  General  Buell 
Avas  a  graduate  of  West  Point,  and  had  been  in 
the  army  all  his  life.  lie  Avas  a  thoroughly  trained 
soldier,  with  great  pride  in  his  profession,  a  man 
of  great  integrity,  with  abilities  of  the  first  order, 
animated  by  high  principle.  His  training  made 
him  a  first- class  organizer  of  an  army.  His  high 
est  aim  was  to  make  good  soldiers  of  his  com 
mand,  and  everything  that  detracted  from  this,  as 
straggling,  pillaging,  disobedience  of  orders,  he 
regarded  as  unworthy  of  a  soldier  and  meriting 
prompt  and  stern  punishment  at  his  hands. 

Some  of  the  boys  to  this  day  may  still  regard 
General  Buell  harsh  and  severe,  hut  as  time  brought 
hard  campaigns  and  heavy  fighting  to  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland,  the  older  soldiers  who  Avere 
under  Buell,  saw  that  he  was  actuated  solely  for 
their  good,  and  for  the  good  of  the  service,  in  all 
he  did. 

We  have  been  a  little  particular  in  our  com 
ments  on  General  Buell  from  the  fact  that  the 
writer  Avell  remembers  the  severe  criticisms  tOAvard 
him  during  the  war,  as  well  as  the  many  un 
friendly  remarks  make  by  the  boys  as  the  General 
would  pass  us  while  on  the  march. 

But  if  the  boys  will  but  reflect  for  one  moment 
of  what  would  have  been  the  result,  had  we  been 
allowed  to  lie  around  idle  in  camp  during  the  win 
ter  of  1861  and  '62,  they  will  certainly  feel  proud 
of.  rather  than  censure,  our  old  commander. 

But   let  us  return  to  the  Sixth  Regiment  at  No- 


Ml  Hl>Toi:y    OP   THK    MX  Til     KEGIMENT. 

lin.  It  was  in  this  camp  where  tin-  hoy>  all  met 
for  the  first  time,  it  was  here  they  learned  who 
was  Bill  and  who  was  Jack  and  Jim.  it  was  here 
they  drew  tents  and  divided  up  into  messes  and 
squads;  it  was  here  they  selected  a  cook  for  each 
mess  and  paired  oft'  for  three  years,  or  during  the 
war,  it  was  in  this  eamp  that  the}7  were  fully  armed 
and  equipped  and  donned  their  first  uniforms  and 
it  was  here  they  took  their  first  lessons  in  "squad 
drill  "  and  learned  the  difference  between  hay  foot 
and  straw  foot.  Boys,  go  back  with  me  to  your 
first  effort  at  squad  drill — do  you  remember  how 
that  Dther  fellow  used  to  step  on  your  heels,  and 
cause  you  to  lose  the  step,  and  in  an  effort  to 
"catch  the  step"  again,  you  would  step  on  some 
other  fellow's  heels,  throwing  him  out  of  gear, 
then  lie  would  stumble  on  some  other  fellow  and 
here  we  would  go  hobbling  along  like  our  feet 
were  tied  together,  until  every  fellow  in  the  squad 
had  his  own  step;  about  this  time  the  Sergeant 
who  is  acting  as  drill-master,  and  who,  by  the  bye, 
is  about  as  green  as  any  of  us,  becomes  desperate 
and  yells  out,  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  "H-a-l-t 
there!  what  the  devil  you  trying  to  do?"  Every 
fellow  ha's  his  own  halt,  but  he  generally  stop- 
when  he  runs  against  the  comrade  in  front.  After 
they  have  all  halted  the  Sergeant  orders  them  to 
"front,"  then,  "order  arm>. "  then  the  old  bel- 
giums  begin  to  drop  one  at  a  time  :  about  this  time 
some  fellow  would  give  one  big  howl,  grab  up  one 
foot  and  go  hopping  around  over  the  ground  eiit- 


THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE.  81 

ting  the  most  desperate  gestures,  and  with  a  face 
that  would  seem  to  indicate  cramp  colic,  but 
directly  the  poor  fellow  would  get' his  breath,  and 
the  lirst  words  that  escaped  his  lips  Avould  he,  "by 
thunder,  I  believe  my  big  toe-nail  is  mashed  oft'." 

But  wre  soon  got  over  this  and  presented  the 
appearance  of  warriors  sufficient  to  cause  the 
rebel  General  Buckner  to  withdraw  his  advanced 
forces  back  to  Bowling  Green,  where  he  strongly 
fortified  his  position. 

But  before  we  leave  this  part  of  Kentucky,  the 
writer  would  be  inexcusable  not  to  remind  the 
boys  of  the  very  agreeable  surprise  and  treat  pre 
sented  to  our  Regiment  by  the  ladies  of  the  Sixth 
Ward,  Louisville. 

On  Thanksgiving  Bay,  1861,  on  the  line  of  the 
Nashville  Railroad,  near  Sonora,  in  commemora 
tion  of  the  fact  that  the  Sixth  Regiment  was  the 
first  to  enter  the  State  for  its  defense  against  Buck 
ner,  who  was  threatening  Louisville,  the  train 
rolled  ii])  to  the  station,  and  to  the  wonder  and  as 
tonishment  of  the  boys,  off  walked  about  two- 
hundred  ladies,  who  at  once  began  to  prepare 
spreads,  on  which  was  placed  a  most  sumptuous 
Thanksgiving  dinner.  Those  grateful  ladies,  not 
unmindful  of  their  rescuers,  of  those  who  had 
thrust  themselves  between  their  beautiful  city  and 
those  who  threatened  its  destruction,  had  sought 
this  manner  of  showing  their  generosity,  and  cer 
tainly  nothing  could  have  been  more  fitting  or 
suitable,  and  as  the  boys  had  been  in  camp  about 
6 


82  HISTORY     01      TIIK    SIXTH     KI-XU.M  KN  I. 

long  enough  to  "get  up  "a  good  appetite,  it  is 
needless  to  say  that  they  did  full  justice  to  the  oc 
casion.  I  do  not  remember  that  there  was  any  one 
too  sick  to  eat  that  dinner.  After  the  dinner  was 
dispatched,  the  Hon.  James  Guthrie  presented  a 
beautiful  silk  flag,  as  a  present  from  the  ladies. 
On  this  Hag  was  inscribed  :  u  From  the  ladies  of 
the  Sixth  Ward,  Louisville,  Ivy.,  to  the  Sixth  Reg 
iment,  Indiana  Volunteers."  The  reply  was  made 
by  Captain  A.  W.  Prat  her. 

After  many  good  wishes  for  the  success  of  the 
Indiana  boys,  these  patriotic  ladies  and  gentlemen 
again  boarded  the  train  and  returned  to  Louisville, 
and  there  was  but  one  sentiment  in  the  Sixth  Reg 
iment  as  that  train  rolled  away,  and  that  was, 
God  bless  the  ladies  of  the  Sixth  Ward. 

After  the  Regiment  left  Xolin  Creek,  the  writer 
has  a  faint  recollection,  and,  perhaps,  many  other 
members  of  the  Regiment  have  not  forgotten  it, 
of  a  camp  we  called  Camp  Sixth  Ward,  in  honor 
of  the  ladies  who  had  so  kindly  remembered  us  on 
Thanksgiving  Day.  The  boys  called  it  Camp 
"  Ground  Hog,"  from  the  fact  that  we  were  or 
dered,  and  did  dig  pits  in  the  ground  about  10x12 
feet  square,  and  four  to  six  feet  deep,  over  which  we 
spread  our  tents.  We  did  not  stay  in  these  "  dug 
outs  "  very  long,  as  the  discovery  was  made,  that 
while  ground  hogs  might  live  in  the  ground  with 
out  endangering  their  health,  it  was  not  a  very 
good  place  for  men.  While  in  this  camp  many 
contracted  sickness,  and  were  sent  to  the  rear. 


THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE.  83 

some  never  to  return.  It  was  at  this  camp  we 
carried  poor  John  S.  Ross,  a  member  of  the  same 
Company  with  the  writer,  to  the  train,  and  ship 
ped  him  back  to  Louisville,  never  to  return  again, 
as  the  poor  fellow  died  on  the  19th  day  of  the 
February  following.  Who  can  tell  how  many 
poor  fellows  contracted  their  death  in  these  "  dirty 
mud  holes,"  and,  again,  who  can  tell  how  much 
money  the  Government  is  paying  as  pensions  for 
disabilities  contracted  at  Camp  "  Ground  Hog." 

The  next  move  of  the  regiment  was  to  Bacon 
Creek,  where  the  boys  found  more  creek  than 
bacon.  The  regiment  never  was  in  as  bad  condi 
tion,  perhaps,  as  it  was  while  here  at  Bacon  Creek. 
It  is  safe  to  say  that  there  was  not  one  man  in  ten 
who  had  not  contracted  chronic  diarrhoea — this  ter 
rible  scourge  of  the  army,  this  dreaded  disease 
which,  perhaps,  laid  the  foundation  for  more  disa 
bilities  than  all  other  ailments  that  ever  befel  a 
poor  soldier.  How  many  affidavits  have  gone  up 
to  the  Pension  Department  bearing  the  telling 
words  of  "  chronic  diarrhoea,  contracted  at  Bacon 
Creek." 

A  very  considerable  number  of  the  regiment 
had  measles  while  at  this  camp,  from  which  fur 
loughs  were  granted,  and  eventually  discharges 
given.  In  fact,  measles  had  broken  out  back  at 
Camp  Nevin,  and  at  one  time  there  were  so  many 
men  down  with  that  disease  that  drills  had  to  be 
discontinued.  Cold,  wet,  disagreeable  weather 


84  HISTORY    OF    THK    -IX  III     RKi.IMEM'. 

caused  it  to  assume  a  dangerous  character,  or 
rather  to  run  into  some  other  malady  which  proved 
fatal. 

On  the  9th  of  December  McCook  ordered  Gen 
eral  K.  W.  Johnson  to  move  forward  to  Mun- 
fordsville,  on  Green  River,  and  about  the  17th  his 
whole  command  moved  up  to  Green  River,  and 
Camp  Wood  was  established,  and  here  we  floun 
dered  around  in  the  mud  the  balance  of  the  winter. 
The  rebels  had  burned  the  bridge  across  Green 
River,  and  Colonel  Willich,  with  the  Thirty-second 
Indiana,  constructed  a  temporary  crossing,  over 
which  four  companies  of  his  regiment,  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Von  Trebra,  passed  December 
17,  and  took  position  near  Rowlett  Station.  The 
rebel  General  Albert  Sidney  Johnson  had  sent 
General  Hindman  with  his  brigade  from  Bowling 
Green,  with  instructions  to  destroy  the  railroad  as 
far  north  as  Green  River.  On  the  same  day  that 
the  Thirty-second  Indiana  crossed  the  river,  Hind 
man  reached  Woodsonville.  On  the  approach  of 
Hindman,  Von  Trebra  threw  out  two  companies 
as  skirmishers.  The  enemy  fell  back  with  the 
purpose  of  decoying  the  Tnion  troops  to  the  point 
where  his  main  command  of  infantry  and  artillery 
was  posted. 

The  cavalry — a  squadron  of  Texas  Rangers — 
made  a  dash  at  the  Thirty-second  boys,  and  their 
skirmishers  rallied  and  formed  a  hollow  square  t<» 
receive  the  charge.  After  repeated  charges  from 
the  cavalry,  which  were  resisted  by  the  Thirty- 


THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE.  85 

second,  in  one  of  which  Colonel  Terry  was  killed, 
Colonel  Willich  re-enforced  Yon  Trebra  with  four 
additional  companies.  After  maintaining  their 
position  under  fire  for  an  hour  and  a  half,  the 
Indiana  troops  repulsed  the  enemy  in  every 
charge,  and  Hindmaii's  force  then  withdrew. 
Colonel  Willich  had  in  the  engagement  only  the 
eight  companies  of  his  command,  with  Cotter's 
battery.  The  enemy  attacked  with  a  force  of 
eleven  hundred  infantry,  two  hundred  and  fifty 
cavalry  and  four  pieces  of  artillery.  The  Thirty- 
second  Indiana  lost  thirteen  men  killed  and  ten 
wounded. 

Professor  Kettell,'  in  his  history  of  the  Great 
Rebellion,  gives 'this  account  of  the  engagement  at 
Hewlett's  Station : 

"  On  the  17th  day  of  December,  four  companies 
of  the  Thirty-second  Indiana,  thrown  out  in  ad- 
vancQ  of  Munfordsville,  on  the  Louisville  and 
Nashville  Railroad,  forty-two  miles  north  of  Bow 
ling  Green,  encountered  a  party  of  Texas  Rangers, 
who  charged  them,  and  were  received  with  a  sharp 
fire.  The  infantry  were  then  ordered  to  rally  upon 
an  adjoining  wood.  In  the  act  they  were  charged 
by  the  Texan  horsemen,  and  a  desperate  hand-to- 
hand  encounter  ensued,  the  Indjanians  making  use 
of  their  sword  bayonets,  they  soon  gained  the 
woods,  and  were  reinforced  by  two  other  regi 
ments,  when  the  Texans  fied,  leaving  many  dead,  in 
cluding  their  Colonel,  upon  the  field.  The  Federal 
loss  was  thirteen  killed  and  as  many  wounded." 


OO  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    RKGIMKM. 

Iii  the  above  statement  the  author  is  simply 
mistaken,  when  he  says  the  "  Indianians  were  re 
inforced  by  two  other  regiments,"  as  Colonel  Wil- 
lich  took  two  other  companies  of  his  own  regi 
ment,  and  went  to  the  relief  of  the  two  already 
engaged.  Besides  that,  they  did  not  get  to  the 
wood,  but  formed  a  "hollow  square"  in  the  open 
Held,  where  they  successfully  withstood  the  des 
perate  charges  of  these  daring  Rangers,  and  finally 
repulsed  them.  At  one  time  this  "  hollow  square  " 
was  completely  surrounded  by  the  Rangers,  and 
the  only  thing  that  saved  the  Indiana  boys  was 
their  skillful  training  and  knowledge  of  military 
tactics. 

One  uf  these  Texas  braves  dashed  up  within  ai 
few  feet  of  this  "  hollow  square,"  and,  taking  de 
liberate  aim,  fired  and  killed  Lieut.  Max  Sachs,  but 
he  paid  dearly  for  his  temerity,  as  he  "  bit  the 
dust "  instantly. 

The  Sixth  Indiana  was  fortunate  enough  to  "get 
up"  just  in  time  to  be  a  little  too  late  to  see  this 
engagement,  but,  in  company  with  others,  the 
writer  went  and  examined  the  battlefield. 

From  about  the  middle  of  December  until  the 
middle  of  February  was  spent  here  on  the  bank 
of  Green  River.  To  drill,  go  on  dress  parade,  and 
do  picket  duty  was  the  order  of  the  day,  while 
writing  letters  home,  and  playing  euchre  was  the 
occupation  to  while  way  the  long,  dreary  winter 
evenings.  Men  who  never  knew  one  card  from 
another  before,  here  learned  to  play  euchre,  and  to 


THREE    YEARS'    SERVICE  87 

smoke  a  pipe,  and  why  not  ?  Nothing  to  read,  not  h- 
ing  to  do,  but  to  think  ot  home  and  loved  ones 
left  behind.  Half  sick  and  discouraged,  what  else 
could  we  do,  but  to  resort  to  something  for  amuse 
ment,  something  to  kill  time? 

It  was  at  Green  River  the  writer  was  promoted 
to  Orderly  Sergeant.  It  was  my  custom  to  visit 
each  company  tent  once  or  twice  a  day,  for  th# 
sole  purpose  of  cheering  the  boys  and  learning 
their  various  wants.  One  evening,  when  making 
these  rounds,  I  dropped  into  a  tent  and  found 
one  poor  fellow  all  alone ;  he  was  writing  a  letter 
home  to  his  wife.  I  saw  in  a  moment  that  he  was 
very  much  affected,  in  fact,  he  could  not  conceal 
the  tears  that  were  freely  running  down  his  cheeks, 
and  I  said,  "why,  Bill,  what's  the  matter  ?"  His  re 
ply  was:  "Oh,  God!  don't  ask  me;  this  is  the 
second  letter  I  have  received  from  my  wife ;  she 
and  the  children  are  almost  destitute ;  I  had  but 
little  to  leave  her,  and  now  that  is  gone;  we  arc 
very  poor,  and  the  store-keepers  will  not  trust  her 
for  even  the  necessaries  of  life ;  I  sent  her  all  my 
last  pay,  but  it  did  not  pay  up  all  the  rent,  and  the 
landlord  says  she  must  move  ;  I  don't  know  what  to 
do."  At  the  close  of  this  sentence  he  dropped  his 
pencil,  lay  back  on  his  bed  of  straw  and  wept  bit 
terly.  I  was  silent,  and  too  full  for  utterance, 
while  the  hot  tears  flowed  freely  down  my  face. 
Remembering  my  manhood,  I  braced  up  instantly, 
and  said  to  him  :  "  Here,  Bill,  is  two  dollars  (which 
was  the  last  cent  I  had) ;  send  her  this,  and  I  will 


HISTORY    OF    TIIK    SIXTH     KK'.IMKNT. 

see  if  I  can't  help  you  out  with  some  more  to-mor 
row,"  told  him  good  night  and  went'  on  my 
rounds.  The  next  day  I  borrowed  live  dollars 
from  my  Lieutenant  and  gave  him.  He  wrote  her 
at  once  enclosing  the  money. 

How  many  thousands  of  poor  fellows  have  had 
a  similar  experience,  but  alas !  I  fear  they  did  not 
nil  find  a  like  friend.  How  many  long,  dreary 
nights  have  I  laid  in  my  tent,  stretched  out  on  an 
old,  dirty  blanket,  weary  and  foot-sore,  almost 
dead  for  rest,  while  the  mind  and  thoughts  were 
wandering  back  home,  thinking  of  wife  and  babies. 
— "Dear  ones,  did  you  but  know  my  condition  to 
night,  your  hearts  would  faint  within  you,  you 
would  weep  yourselves  to  sleep."  But  the  loved 
ones  at  home  are  not  permitted  to  know  these 
trials  and  hardships.  The  brave  soldier  cheers  up, 
and  when  he  writes  home  he  tells  them  all  is  well, 
do  not  worry  after  me.  Oh !  for  something  to  oc 
cupy  the  mind,  to  cheer  the  drooping  spirits,  to 
drive  away  the  blues,  yes,  anything,  even  a  civil 
game  of  euchre. 

The  boys  will  remember  that  it  was  here  on  the 
banks  of  Green  River  we  took  our  Christmas  din 
ner.  Almost  every  fellow  had  been  remembered 
by  loved  ones  at  home,  by  sending  him  a  box  of 
sweet-meats.  The  writer,  too,  had  not  been  for 
gotten  by  the  dear  one  who  had  been  left  behind 
to  care  for  our  two  little  angel  babies  while  their 
father  was  absent  in  defense  of  the  country.  Yes. 
we  got  a  box,  and  it  was  only  an  average  box,  not 


THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE.  89 

more,  yet  it  contained  roast  chickens,  an  assort 
ment  of  pies,  cakes,  jellies,  honey,  apples,  etc.,  and 
two  pint  bottles  full  of  a  kind  of  red  fluid,  which 
was  not  coffee,  or  tea.  The  contents  of  this  box 
was  spread  upon  an  oil-cloth  in  the  center  of  our 
tent,  and  of  course  surrounded  by  our  mess.  The 
opening  ceremony  commenced  by  starting  one  of 
these  pint  bottles  around  the  circle.  Poor  Bill 
was  there  and  he  took  a  big  one.  Of  course,  I  sup 
pose  it  was  to  drown  his  troubles.  But  after  the 
last  chicken  bone  was  stripped  the  exercises  closed 
as  they  begun  by  emptying  the  other  bottle.  In 
fact,  the  whole  regiment  had  a  general  feast  on 
good  things — a  splendid  Christmas  dinner. 

The  members  of  Company  K  will  remember 
while  at  this  camp  one  morning,  after  a  heavy 
rain  during  the  night,  old  Charley  Stewart  came 
in  very  late  after  being  out  all  night,  looking  like 
he  had  been  on  a  protracted  drunk,  and  when  the 
Captain  asked  him  where  he  had  been,  he  said 
that  he  had,  in  fact,  got  drunk  on  the  evening  be 
fore,  and  in  trying  to  get  back  to  the  regiment  had 
got  lost,  and  after  wandering  around  a  long  time, 
unable  to  find  his  way  back,  he  crawled  into  one 
of  the  large  cannons  in  order  to  get  out  of  the 
rain.  He  went  sound  asleep  in  a  little  while,  and 
of  course  those  darned  artillerymen  did  not  know 
he  was  in  there,  and  when  they  fired  their  morning 
salute  they  just  happened  to  fire  the  gun  he  was 
in.  He  said  he  did  not  waken  up  until  he  was 
passing  over  Green  River,  but  then  it  was  too  late 


90  HISTORY    OF   THE    MXTU     KKi.IMKNT. 

and  he  had  to  go  on,  and  lit  over  on  the  point  near 
Rowlett  Station.  He  said  he  was  all  right,  only 
it  made  him  a  little  tired  to  walk  back  to  camp. 

Mud  and  rain,  snow  and  sleet,  freeze  and  thaw, 
were  changes  that  followed  each  other  in  such 
quick  succession  that  it  made  it  very  unfortunate 
for  us  poor  creatures,  who  were  just  putting  in 
our  first  winter  as  soldiers.  I  remember  very  dis 
tinctly  on  one  occasion  our  regiment  went  on 
picket  across  Green  River;  we  took  position  on 
a  high — quite  steep — knob.  This  knob  was  al 
most  covered  with  cedar  bushes,  with  branches 
long  and  drooping.  When  we  got  posted  it  was 
not  cold,  still  the  sky  was  covered  with  black, 
heavy  clouds,  but  in  about  an  hour  it  began  to 
blow,  and  I  never  saw  it  snow  any  harder  or 
faster.  This  condition  lasted  until  about  mid 
night,  when  the  snow  changed  to  a  very  cold, 
freezing  rain,  lasting  the  balance  of  the  night. 
We  found  shelter  from  the  wind  and  snow  by 
crawling  under  the  cedar  trees.  But  when  it  be 
gan  to  rain  we  soon  got  out  of  there,  and  the  only 
thing  left  was  for  us  to  stand  up  and  take  our 
medicine.  When  we  were  relieved  in  the  morn 
ing  it  was  not  much  trouble  to  get  down  off  that 
hill.  The  boys  would  sit  down,  turn  up  their  toes 
like  sled  runners,  stear  clear  of  cedar  bushes,  and 
"  let  her  go,  Gallagher."  Everywhere  it  was  a 
complete  glare  of  ice  and  sleet.  My  only  shelter 
that  night  was  an  oil-cloth,  and  somehow  I  didn't 


THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE.  91 

sleep  very  well;  in  fact,  none  of  the  boys  went  to 
sleep  that  night  on  their  post. 

On  the  13th  of  February,  1862,  the  Third  Divi 
sion,  under  General  O.  M.  Mitchell,  broke  camp, 
and  moved  rapidly  toward  Bowling  Green  to  pre 
vent  Johnson  from  sending  reinforcements  to 
Fort  Donelson,  which  was  about  to  be  attacked 
by  General  Grant.  General  Mitchell  arrived  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  Barren  River,  opposite  Bowl 
ing  Green,  on  the  day  following.  His  arrival  was 
announced  by  the  roar  of  cannon,  whose  bombs, 
busting  in  the  city,  spread  terror  among  the  in 
habitants,  and  hurried  the  retreat  of  the  rear 
guard  of  General  Johnson's  army. 

Before  evacuating  Bowling  Green  the  enemy  had 
burned  both  bridges  over  Barren  river,  public 
buildings,  railroad  cars  and  other  property.  The 
swollen  stream,  without  bridges,  prevented  the 
immediate  advance  of  the  troops  to  arrest  the  con 
flagration. 

General  Turchin's  Brigade  had  secured  some 
boats  in  which  they  crossed  the  river  during  the 
night,  and  by  5  o'clock  next  morning  were  in  the 
city,  and  saved  from  destruction  a  portion  of  the 
rolling  stock  of  the  railroad. 

The  continued  high  water  offered  such  a  barrier 
to  the  transfer  of  troops,  artillery  and  trains  to 
the  south  bank,  that  a  week  elapsed  before  Gen 
eral  Mitchell  could  resume  his  march  toward 
Nashville.  But  the  week  was  improved  by  get 
ting  the  balance  of  the  army  from  Green  River  up 


92  HISTORY   OF  Tin:   -i\ TII    KBCHMENT. 

to  Bowling  Green,  ready  to  cross  as  soon  as  Gen 
eral  Mitchell  could  got  out  of  the  way  By  the 
22d,  however,  General  Mitchell  had  succeeded  in 
getting  his  men  all  across  the  angry  stream,  and 
struck  out  the  same  day  for  Nashville,  without 
trains,  and  by  way  of  Franklin,  Mitchell ville  and 
Tyree  Springs,  while  the  balance  of  the  army  be 
gan  the  passage  of  Barren  River.  General  Buell 
succeeded  in  repairing  cars  and  engines  enough  to 
carry  about  a  thousand  men.  This  train  was 
loaded  with  troops,  and  steamed  off*  at  once  for 
Xashville,  carrying  General  Buell  and  staff,  and 
about  one  thousand  men. 

It  reached  Edgefield  on  the  24th,  just  as  Gen 
eral  Mitchell  had  arrived  and  was  going  into  camp. 

The  surrender  of  Fort  Donelson,  on  the  16th, 
forced  the  evacuation  of  Xashville.  Consequently, 
when  General  Buell  arrived  at  this  city,  he  found 
it  evacuated,  and  the  whole  rebel  chivalry  rolling 
off  toward  the  South. 

When  General  Grant  notified  the  commander  at 
Fort  Donelson  that  he  proposed  "to  move  against 
his  works  without  delay,''  he  put  his  threat  into 
execution,  and  when  the  rebel  commander  saw  that 
defeat  was  sure,  Generals  Pillow  and  Floyd  (and 
their  stafts)  turned  the  command  over  to  General 
Buckner,  and  took  steamer  for  Nashville,  where 
they  remained  just  long  enough  to  burn  all  the 
bridges  across  the  Cumberland,  and  they  too 
moved  on  south  to  look  for  a  more  "healthy  cli 
mate." 


THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE.  93 

In  the  meanwhile  Buell's  whole  army  was  mov 
ing  on  toward  Nashville.  The  Sixth  Indiana  was 
at  her  place  "  in  ranks,"  and  although  some  of  the 
hoys  did  not  answer  at  roll-call  at  night  when  we 
went  into  camp,  they  got  there  all  the  same,  and 
were  ready  for  roll-call,  and  their  rations,  too,  in 
the  morning.  The  writer  well  remembers  of  being 
detailed  to  gather  up  the  stragglers  at  Franklin, 
near  which  place  we  camped  over  night.  When 
the  Regiment  pulled  out  toward  Nashville  that 
morning,  I  went  up  in  town  and  succeeded  in  gath 
ering  up  near  fifty  tired,  sore-footed  boys,  looking 
a  little  worse  of  the  wear,  some  without  guns, 
and  nearly  all  without  rations.  The  boys  of  this 
sore-footed  squad  will  remember  that  we  all  got 
together  on  the  railroad,  near  town,  and  fell  in 
and  counted  off.  The  ammunition  was  divided 
among  those  who  had  guns,  and  the  rations — well, 
we  simply  didn't  have  any.  Here  was  a  desperate 
case ;  we  were  two  days'  march  from  Nashville, 
the  army  had  gone  on  and  left  us  in  the  midst  of 
the  enemy's  country,  while  only  about  half  of  our 
squad  had  guns,  with  perhaps  eight  or  ten  rounds 
of  ammunition  to  the  gun,  and  not  enough  rations 
for  one  square  meal,  and  not  only  this,  but  three- 
fourths  of  the  squad  were  actually  sick,  while  all 
were  foot-sore  and  broke  down  ;  and  still  another 
item  to  take  into  consideration  was  that  as  we  had 
no  tents,  what  would  we  do  for  shelter  when  night 
overtook  us  ? 

So  with  all   these  vital,  questions  before  us  we 


94  Hf  STORY    OF    THE    SIX  III     IM-:« -l.MENT. 

simply  held  a  "  Council  of  War,"  in  which  privates 
as  well  as  officers  participated.  It  was  finally  de 
cided  to  divide  into  two  equal  squads.  The  writer 
was  to  take  one  squad  and  go  the  pike,  while 
another  Sergeant  took  the  other  and  was  to  go 
down  the  railroad  track.  The  object  of  dividing 
was  to  give  us  a  better  chance  to  forage,  and  then, 
perhaps,  we  could  find  a  better  chance  to  get  shel 
ter  at  night ;  so  with  this  understanding  the  boys 
told  each  other  "  good  bye"  and  we  started,  with 
the  intention  of  catching  up  with  the  regiment  on 
the  evening  of  the  second  day,  which  we  did,  get 
ting  in  about  the  same  time,  and  without  any 
mishap.  As  for  myself  and  squad,  we  certainly 
faired  very  well.  We  found  plenty  to  eat  and 
very  often  the  parties  refused  to  take  pay,  which 
was  always  offered.  If  there  still  survives  any 
who  were  in  the  squad  with  the  writer,  they  will 
remember  that,  on  the  evening  of  the  first  day,  we 
<^ome  to  a  respectable  looking  farm  house,  and 
decided  to  strike  the  old  fellow  for  quarters  over 
night.  While  the  boys  lay  down  to  rest  I  went  on 
to  investigate.  I  found  the  proprietor  a  very  in 
telligent  gentleman  and,  a  solid  Union  man.  He 
told  me  to  bring  the  boys  in  and  he  would  not 
only  give  them  lodging,  but  would  prepare  a  good 
supper  and  breakfast  for  them.  When  I  returned 
and  announced  my  success  I  was  well  rewarded  by 
the  broad  smile  that  spread  over  the  tired  faces. 
We  fell  in  and  inarched  into  the  yard  in  true 
soldier  style;  halted,  stacked  arms  and  broke 


THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE.  95 

ranks.  The  old  man  approached  and  gave  each 
man  a  hearty  shake  of  the  hand.  We  were  then 
furnished  water  and  towels,  and  for  the  first  time 
since  we  broke  camp  every  fellow  had  a  clean  face 
and  his  head  combed. 

The  supper  was  good  and  the  boys  ate  it  with  a 
relish.  When  we  retired  at  night  we  took  our 
guns  with  us,  and  was  ready  for  any  emergency. 
We  got  an  early  start  next  morning  after  a  good, 
square  breakfast,  for  all  of  which  the  old  man 
would  not  have  a  cent  of  pay.  I  am  satisfied  the 
men  were  fifty  per  cent,  better  off  this  morning 
than  they  were  when  they  left  Franklin.  Dan 
Shubart  declared  that  on  a  good  night's  rest  and 
two  square  meals,  he  could  go  into  camp  that 
night  without  an  other  bite  to  eat. 


CHAPTER  V. 

ENTERING  NASHVILLE. 

Move  toward  Duck  Kiver— We  strike  out  for  Savanah,  Tenn. — 
We  hear  the  cannon  at  Shiloh — Our  steamboat  ride  up  to 
Shiloh — A  terrible  night  in  the  mud  and  rain — Screaming  of 
the  wounded  and  dying. 

The  rear  of  the  rebel  army  was  scarcely  out  ot 
the  city  of  Nashville  when  General  Buell  with  his 
magnificent  army  arrived  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Cumberland  River,  boats  were  procured,  and  the 
work  of  crossing  began  at  once.  By  9  o'clock  at 
night  the  troops  were  all  over,  and  Nashville  was 
in  the  possession  of  the  Union  army.  In  order  to 
find  camping  ground,  the  army  was  marched  two 
or  three  miles  beyond  the  city,  and  our  brigade 
halted  in  an  open  field  for  the  night.  These  fields 
Avere  enclosed  by  stone  walls  or  fences  and  conse 
quently  there  was  nothing  to  build  fires.  A  cold 
rain  had  been  falling  nearly  all  day,  and  when 
evening  came  the  mercury  fell  below  the  free/ing 
point;  the  boys  clothes  which  were  thoroughly 
wet  were  frozen  on  them.  In  the  absence  of  fire 
without,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  kindle  one 
within.  Accordingly,  two  barrels  of  whisky  was 
ordered  to  each  brigade,  and  was  issued  to  the 
men  which  seemed  to  arouse  their  drooping  spirits. 


MOVK    TOWARD    JHX'K    KIVER.  1)7 

and  they  were  enabled  to  endure  the1  storm  until 
morning,  when  suitable  camping  grounds  were 
selected,  and  soon  tliey  bad  immense  loo-  tires  bv 
which  their  clothes  were  dried  ;  the1  seething  camp- 
kettle  told  of  coffee,  and  the  patient  soldiers  soon 
forgot  the  hardships  and  trials  of  the  night  before. 

It  was  just  as  the  boys  were  preparing  their 
evening  meal  around  these  big  log  tires,  that  the 
writer  and  his  sore-footed  squad  arrived  in  camp: 
to  say  we  were  happy,  expresses  it  mildly. 

The  army  remained  quiet  around  Xashville  un 
til  about  the  loth  of  March,  when  McCook's  Di 
vision  was  ordered  to  strike  tents  and  head  toward 
Columbia,  on  Duck  River,  with  a  further  view  of 
moving  on  to  Savannah,  on  the  Tennessee  River, 
a  point  where  the  whole  army  was  ordered  to  con 
centrate.  When  we  arrived  at  Duck  Run  we 
found  the  bridge  burned,  and  the  stream  full  to  the 
top  of  its  banks.  As  our  division  had  no  pon 
tons,  it  became  necessary  to  build  a  bridge1,  which 
work  was  assigned  to  the  Thirty-second  Indiana. 
But.  before  the  bridge  was  completed,  General 
Buell  received  word  that  General  Grant,  who  had 
brought  his  forces  up  the  Tennessee  River,  had 
landed  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river.  General 
Huell's  keen  military  vision  enabled  him  instantly 
to  see  the  great  danger  of  Grant's  army.  The  ex 
citement  among  the  officers  of  Buell's  army  was 
so  intense  that  General  Xelson  would  not  wait  for 
the  completion  of  the  bridge,  but  crossed  the  river 
by  wading  and  swimming  together,  getting  his 


!>8  HIVIOKY    01      TIIK    SIXTH    RK<  J I  MKVI  . 

entire  division,  artillery,  baggage,  etc-.,  over  safely, 
and  struck  out  rapidly  for  Savannah.  The  bridge, 
however,  was  completed  on  the  i^Jth,  and  the  inarch 
wa*  immediately  resumed,  and  by  the  olst  the  en 
tire  Army  of  the  Ohio  was  headed  for  Savannah. 
Before  we  get  too  far  from  Duck  Kiver,  I  must 
hairiong  enough  to  ask  the  boys  of  the  Sixth  In 
diana  if  they  have  forgotten  the  night  we  crossed 
that  turbulent  stream?  I  confess  that  I  was  so 
thoroughly  frightened  that  to  this  day  I  shudder 
when  I  think  of  the  great  danger  we  were  in.  I 
would,  of  choice,  risk  my  scalp  in  another  battle 
like  Shiloh,  rather  than  start  across  another  bridge 
like  the  one  over  Duck  Kiver — a  temporary  bridge 
built  on  top  of  the  water,  held  to  its  place  by 
ropes  fastened  to  trees  away  up  a  stream  swift  as 
a  mill  race  and  many  feet  dee)),  mad,  angry  and 
turbulent,  rushing  and  foaming,  fairly  hissing  un 
der  our  feet,  only  a  few  inches  above  it — the  white 
foam  rolling  up  against  the  upper  end  of  this  frail 
structure  in  a  most  threatening  manner,  and  dark 
as  hades,  except  the  flickering  lights  on  the  shore, 
which  only  enabled  you  to  see  mure  clearly  your 
terrible  danger.  Only  imagine  this  frail  structure 
freighted  with  human  souls  to  the  Very  waters 
edge,  continually  screeching  and  cracking  under 
your  feet,  while  the  ropes  that  held  it  in  place 
were  stretched  so  tight  by  the  great  volume  of 
rushing  waters  that  you  could  hear  them  fairly 
sing  in  the  air;  and  then  remember  that  every 
man  is  carrying  a  gun.  cartridge-box,  haversack, 


Wi:    STRIKE    Ol'T    FOK    SAVANNAH,    TENN.  99 

knapsack  and  blanket,  and  is  so  hound  uj>  bv 
straps  that,  should  any  one  of  these  guv  ropes 
break,  it  would  he  certain  death  to  every  mother's 
son  on  the  bridge.  The  man  who  \vould  not  he 
frightened  in  such  a  situation  has  neither  nerves 
nor  sense.  But  we  got  across  the  river  all  the 
same,  and  started  on  with  the  halance  of  the 
"  Great  Army,"  whose  objective  point  was  Savan 
nah. 

Only  one  route  was  practicable,  a  single,  narrow 
roadway,  in  poor  condi-tion  for  the  ordinary  travel 
of  a  sparsely  inhabited  region,  and  we  think  the 
poorest  country  we  ever  saw,  but  along*  this  lonely 
narrow  way  the  army  moved  slowly  along.  It  was 
the  intention  of  General  Bnell  to  halt  the  army  at 
Waynesboro,  a  point  on  our  route,  long  enough  to 
rest  up  and  get  in  good  repair  and  shape  for  the 
meeting  and  consolidation  with  General  Grant's 
army  at  Savannah.  But  General  X'clson,  ignorant 
of  this  proposal  to  halt  at  Waynesboro,  and  alive 
to  the  probability  of  an  early  attack  upon  General 
Grant,  hurried  through  the  place  for  a  rest  and 
trimming  up  for  a  handsome  introduction  to  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and  by  sweeping  impetu 
ously  on  the  road  to  Savannah,  defeated  the  halt  at 
Waynesboro,  for,  before  General  Buell  thought  it 
necessary  to  give  orders  to  Nelson,  other  divisions 
to  which  the  speed  of  the  first  had  been  communi 
cated,  were  also  bevond  Waynesboro,  and  could 
not  then  be  recalled,  and  but  for  this  rapid  move 
ment  of  General  Xelson,  which  enabled  him  to 


]»>»>  HISTORY    <>F    THK    SIXTH     RKCIM  KNT. 

arrive  at  Savannah  <>n  the  ~>th,  who  can  predict  the 
fate  of  Grant's  army,  then  ly'ini^  (juietly  in  camp 
at  1'ittshm1"'  Landing,  twelve  miles  ahovc.  and.  Too, 
on  the  enemy's  side  ot  the  river,  with  no  means  for 
crossing  except  by  transports,  and  they,  General 
<irant  telegraphed  Nelson,  would  not  he  readv  tor 
him  before  the  8th. 

IMease  comprehend  the  situation:  On  the  ">th 
General  Xelson's  Division  is  jnst  pulling  into  Sa 
vannah,  twelve  miles  helow  the  scene1  of  action,  and 
on  the  opposite  side-  of  a  lar»y  river  without 
bridges,  his  men  tired  and  worn  out  hv  forced 

O  « 

marches,  while  the  balance  of  Knell's  army  wa* 
strnnu1  out  on  the  road  hack  in  the  real'  for  a  dis 
tance  of  forty  miles.  And  in  this  condition  the 
evening  of  the  .">th  closes,  and  the  bu<rle  hh»w< 
lialt  for  the  niufht,  and  the  weary  soldiers  stretch 
themselves  upon  the1  wet,  cold  o-roiind  to  rest  and 
to  slumber,  while  at  the  very  same  moment  the 
rebel  army  is  stealthilv  approaching,  and.  with 
the  cunning  of  a  tiuvr.  preparing  to  spring  upon 
the  unconscious  and  slumbering  Army  of  the 
Tennessee. 

When  the  bugle  blowed  halt  on  the  evening  of 
the  ")th.  the  Sixth  Indiana  went  into  camp  not  less 
than  thirty-six  miles  from  Savannah,  and  but  little 
did  we  think,  when  we  set  around  our  camp-tires 
next  morning,  eating  onr  breakfast  of  coffee,  hard 
tack  and  sow-belly,  that  this  thirty-six  miles  was 
to  be  covered  before  niirhtfall.  TSnt  breakfast  over, 
the  hiiirle  blows  the  forward  movement,  and  the 


\VE    IIIOAR    THE    (  ANNXDN  ^'JT  ,S1ULOJI.  !Wl 

"Army  of  the  Ohio"  again  moves  forward  toward 
Savannah.  The  sore-footed, tired  ami  weary  soldier 
plods  along  in  the  mud,  watching  his  steps  as  best 
lie  can,  in  order  to  save  his  strength,  and  chatting, 
perhaps,  with  a  comrade  about  home,  or,  may  he, 
the  prospective  impending  crash  of  the  two  great 
armies,  which  were  at  this  time  approaching  each 
other  like  two  hideous  monsters.  While  thus 
wending  our  way  along,  the  silence  is  broken  by 
an  unusual  sound.  Hark  !  it  comes  again.  Boom  ! 
Boom!  Boom!  greets  the  ear  in  sounds  not  to  be 
mistaken.  Instantly  each  man  grasps  his  gun 
more  "firmly,  while,  at  the  same  time,  he  examines 
bis  cartridge-box — see  tbem  pull  out  for  the  front ! 
The  speed  is  doubled;  tlie  mud  is  not  in  the  way 
any  more.  ''Forward — quick-time,'  came  back 
the  line,  and  it  effects  the  soldier  like  applying  the 
lash  to  the  tired  horse.  Noon  is  near  at  hand  and 
we  are  baited  on  the  banks  of  a  small  stream,  and 
ordered  to  eat  a,  bite  while  resting:  also,  to  stack 
our  knapsacks,  and,  in  fact,  unload  everything  but 
our  guns  and  forty  rounds  of  ammunition.  Only 
a  few  minutes  rest,  and  away  we  go  again  ;  slip, 
slop,  splash,  splash;  up  hill  and  down,  keeping 
time  to  the  roar  of  the  artillery,  which  was  visibly 
closer  from  each  hill-top,  and,  while  I  can  not  speak 
for  the  other  members  of  the  regiment,  I  am  free 
to  eonfesi  that  I  never,  up  to  that  time,  had  heard 
of  a  place  that  I  cared  any  less  about  •'//>//•/•'///<</  up 
to  f/ef  there"  than  that  place  called  Shiloh.  Some 


Y  or  TI»:  HXTH 


how  every  step  1  took  seemed  to  •'  go  against  the 
grain." 

But  ahout  8  o'clock  that  evening  found  us  in 
Savannah,  and  about  11  o'clock  wo  were  loaded 
aboard  a  steamer,  and  shipped  up  to  1'ittsburg 
Landing.  The  boys  will  remember  that  it  rained 
so  hard  on  the  way  up  that  we  could  not  stav  on 
the  upper  deck.  They  will  also  remember  that  we 
went  only  a  few  miles  up  the  river,  perhaps  six  or 
eight  miles,  until  we  came  in  sight  of  the  camp 
tires  of  Grant's  defeated  and  demoralized  troops. 

The  different  brigades  and  divisions  had  been 
shattered  and  so  badly  demoralized  that,  as  0-011- 
eral  Sherman  said,  u  it  had  become  of  a  mixed 
character,"  and  the  farther  up  we  went  the  worse 
it  got.  until,  when  we  finally  struck  the  Landing, 
the  groups  of  unorganized  men  stood  around  so 
thick  that  we  could  hardly  find  standing  room  on 
shore. 

It  rained  all  the  way  up.  and  we  got  off  the 
boat  in  a  drenching  rain  and  mud  over  shoe-top 
deep.  It  was  simply  mud  and  rain  everywhere. 
I  don't  think  our  regiment  got  one  hundred  feet 
from  the  river's  edge  where  we  got  off  that  night, 
and  I  think  I  give  the  experience  of  every  mem 
ber  of  the  old  Sixth  when  I  say  that  the  night  of 
the  6th  of  April,  1862,  was  the  worst  night  of  our 
entire  three  years'  service. 

Language  fails  me  when  I  undertake  to  describe 
the  terrible  sufferings  and  hardships  of  that  night 
after  we  landed,  and  in  giving  mv  own  experience 


A    XKJHT    IN    TJIK    Mfl)    AND    RAIN.  103 

1  export  that  I  but  voice  tlio  sentiment  of  everv 
member  of  the  regiment.  My  clothes  were  wot  to 
the  skin,  my  foot  and  ankles  were  blistered,  and 
my  legs  [mined  me  so  badly  that  to  sleep  would 
have  been  impossible,  oven  bad  there  been  anv 
chance  for  it;  but  none  but  the  dead  could  sleep. 
Standing  in  the  open  air  in  mud  ankle  deep,  and 
the  rain  simply  coming  down  in  torrents,  and,  to 
make  matters  worse,  it  turned  cold;  the  rapid, 
heavy  marching  through  the  day  had  warmed  us 
to  a  copious  sweat,  and  in  cooling  oft*  we  passed  to 
the  other  extreme,  and  with  no  possible  chance  for 
exercise;  and  to  add  to  tins  condition,  there  was 
a  hospital  within  thirty  steps  of  us,  where  the  doc 
tors  were  busy  dressing  the  wounded,  extracting 
balls,  and  amputating  shattered  limbs.  Tbe  groans 
and  shrieks  of  the  wounded  and  dying  drowned 
every  other  noise  except  the  pelting  rain.  I  finally 
became  so  miserable  that  in  my  desperation  I 
struck  off.  I  knew  not  where,  nor  did  I  care.  It 
seemed  to  me  I  could  not  possibly  survive  till 
morning  and  remain  where  I  was.  I  was  actuated 

£T> 

by  that  instinct  which  prompts  all  animals  to  act 
when  life  is  at  stake.  I  followed  the  road  leading 
back  from  the  river,  and  had  gone  only  about  one 
hundred  yards,  when  my  attention  was  attracted 
\)y  a  large  fire  off  to  my  right,  some  two  or  three 
hundred  yards.  I  determined  to  go  to  it  at  once, 
and  struck  out  through  the  woods,  bumping  along 
against  men  and  trees,,  in  midnight  darkness,  ex 
cept  the  large  fire  in  my  front.  Wherever  men 


H>4  lll>To|;y    OK    THK    -IXTH     I!  l.(i  IM  KNT. 

could  rind  a  spot  where  water  was  not  standing  on 
the  ground,  they  were  lying  in  groups  trviug  t«» 
sleep.  It  was  all  the  same  to-  me.  I  kept  on  mv 
course,  and  sometimes  I  would  start  up  over  a  raft 
of  these  sleeping  men,  lying1  along  like  poles  on  a 
corduroy  road,  but  I  never  halted  to  apologize,  but 
kept  on  toward  the  tire,  and  left  them  swearing 
and  sometimes  threatening  to  shoot. 

One  time,  after  I  had  stumbled  over  a  crowd  of 
>leepers,  one  fellow  jumped  and  said  to  his  com 
rade  :  "Bill,  there  is  a  horse-  loose  in  camp:  he 
has  just  passed  right  over  us,  and  I  believe  has 
broke  some  of  my  ribs."  1  had  gone  only  a  few 
steps  when  I  stepped  on  something  I  thought  was 
a  stone-  or  bump  on  a  root,  but  before  I  took  my 
foot  off.  the  object  moved  and  my  foot  slipped  to 
tin-  ground.  .lust  then  a  Dutchman  yelled  out: 
*•  ( Jot  dam  for  hell  !  "  and  jumped  up  and  took  out 
after  me:  but  I  had  the  advantage  of  him,  and 
made  a  few  steps  to  one  side-  and  let  him  go  by 
me.  making  the  water  splash  at  every  step,  lie 
made  only  a  few  jumps  past  me  when  bang!  he 
took  a  tree.  For  a  moment  all  was  still,  but  he 
soon  came  to,  and  again  yelled  out:  u  Oh,  mine 
Got  in  bimmel  !  Shake,  I  am  kilt  !  "  This  brought 
Jake  to  his  relief,  and  I  thought  may  be  1  had 
better  go  on.  I  did  so,  and  soon  arrived  at  the 
tire,  and  such  a  sight  I  never  saw  before!  The 
bovs  had  built  a  large  log  tire,  which  was  burning 
fifteen  feet  high,  and  around  this  not  less  than 
three  hundred  men  were  crowded,  forming  a  solid 


THE    BOYS    HAD    BL'ILT    A    LARGE    LOU    KIKE.  1<)5 

wall  of  men  not  loss  than  thirty  feet  thick.  Kortv 
feet  was  as  close  as  I  could  get  to  the  tire.  Xo 
.man  seemed  disposed  to  give  way  for  a  friend;  it 
was  every  fellow  for  himself.  I  walked  twice 
around  the  ring,  in  mud  worked  up  until  it  was 
ankle  deep,  watching  a  chance'  to  get  in.  It  was 
simply  impossible;  I  could  not  do  it.  But  the 
immense  lire  had  warmed  up  the  atmosphere,  and 
I  derived  some  benefit  from  that.  This,  with  the 
exercise,  had  started  the  blood  to  circulating  again, 
and  restored  both  my  feeling  and  senses,  for  I  was 
nearly  crazy,  and  began  to  feel  uneasy,  and  struck 
out  for  the  regiment,  which  I  found  by  pure  acci 
dent.  In  my  wandering  around,  I  accidentally 
struck  the  main  road,  out  of  which  I  started  at 
first.  I  simply  guessed  at  which  end  to  take,  but, 
fortunately  took  the  end  that  led  me  back  to  the 
I'eii'iment.  One  very  important  change  had  taken 
place  while  I  was  gone.  I  had  all  along  been 
watching  a  fellow  who  occupied  a  very  enviable 
position  under  the  dry  side  of  a  leaning  tree.  For 
some  reason,  he  had  vacated,  and  I  immediately 
moved  in  and  took  possession.  I  crouched  down 
with  my  back  against  the  tree,  and  in  a  few  min 
utes  was  sound  asleep.  1  do  not  know  how  long 
I  slept,  but  when  I  u  roused  up*'  I  could  plainly 
see  streaks  of  the  dawning  day,  and  when  I  under 
took  to  stand  up  I  was  as  stiff  as  a  dead  rabbit, 
with  mv  limbs  so  badly  cramped  that  there  was 
no  feeling  in  them,  and  it  was  some  time  before  I 
could  stand  upright  or  make  a  step.  Hut  daylight 


106  HISTORY    or    TIIK    SIXTH    RKOIMKNT. 

had  so  tar  advanced  that  we  could  heii'in  to 
in  the  surroundings,  and  such  a  sio-ht 
meets  the  eye  of  man.  There  was  disorder  and 
contusion  everywhere,  and  a  worse  looking  set  of 
men  would  he  hard  to  tind  than  the  old  Sixth. 
But,  thank  (4od,  it  was  only  in  looks,  and  a  little 
cleansing  and  dressing,  with  a  tew  square  meals, 
would  make  this  all  right.  But  a  hraver,  m»»re 
reliable  regiment  of  men  never  shouldered  mus 
kets  than  the  old  Sixth. 


PHILEMON     P.   BALDWIN. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

• 

THE  BATTLE  OF  SHILOH. 

The  bugle  sounds  the  fall-in — Rousseau's  Brigade — The  Sixth 
Indiana  defends  a  battery — A  terrible  day's  battle — The  rebels 
defeated  and  flying — Description  of  the  battle — Our  losses — A 
dear  victory. 

"Bugler,  sound  the  "fall  in!""  came  from  a 
quick,  imperative  voice,  close  by  me.  I  looked  in 
the  direction  of  the  speaker,  and  saw  General 
Rousseau  and  Colonel  Crittenden  crawling  out  from 
under  a  large  tarpaulin.  The  bugle  brought  every 
man  to  his  feet,  and  the  regiment  began  to  form 
in  line.  As  soon  as  formed,  the  order  to  forward 
was  given.  We  marched  only  a  short  distance, 
over  on  a  point  which  had  been  vacated  by  troops 
already  sent  to  the  front,  and  halted  long  enough 
to  take  coffee,  inspect  guns,  ammunition,  etc., 
and  immediately  moved  to  the  front.  Xo  regu 
larly  defined  plan  of  battle  was  agreed  upon  be 
tween  the  army  commanders,  but  General  Huell 
was  assigned  to  the  left  wing  of  the  battle-front. 
General  Nelson's  Division  was  formed  on  the  ex 
treme  left  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  his  left 
resting  on  the  river.  Crittendeif  s  Division  formed 
on  Nelson's  right,  while  MeCook  was  still  on  the 
right  of  Crittenden.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that 
Mi-Cook's  Division  formed  the  right-center  of 
the  battle-front,  and  General  Rousseau's  Brigade 


lOS  IIIMOKY    oK    TIIK    SIXTH     KKGIMKNT. 

formed  the  left  ofMcCook's  Division,  and  e<m>e- 
(j  lien  tly  Rosseau  joined  Crittenden's  riglit.  Rous 
seau's  Brigade  was  composed  of  the  First  Ohio. 
commanded  hy  Colonel  B.  F.  Smith;  Fifth  Ken- 
tcuky,  commanded  hy  Colonel  II.  M.  Bucklev: 
Sixth  Indiana,  commanded  hy  Colonel  T.  T.  Crit- 
tendeii:  also,  the  First  Batalion  of  the  Fifteenth 
and  the  First  Batalion  of  the  Nineteenth  Regulars. 
Rousseau's  was  the  Fourth  Brigade  of  MeTook's 
(Second)  Division  in  tlie  Army  of  the  Ohio,  com 
manded  hy  General  Bui'll. 

The  part  taken  hy  the  Sixth  Indiana  in  this  (tat 
tle  is  not  entirely  isolated  from  the  halance  of-  the 
brigade,  as  early  in  the  day  Rousseau's  Brigade 
took  an  advanced  position  on  the  line  and  was 
charged  hy  the  enemy.  This  charge  was  our  in 
troduction  to  the  hattle.  The  hoys  stood  their 
ground  like  heroes,  not  mov.iiMj  hack  a  step,  al 
though  the  rehcls  pressed  up  within  a  stone's 
throw  of  our  front,  hut  the  splendidly  drilled  and 
skillful  soldiers  of  the  Fourth  Brigade  rained  the 
leaden  hail  into  their  wavering  ranks  until  thev 
were  repulsed,  and  then  gave  them  a  counter 
harge,  which  sent  them  whirling  to  the  rear,  and 
aptured  one  of  their  batteries.  This  was  more  than 
they  proposed  to  stand,  so  they  rallied  their  forces, 
and  here  they  come  again.  They  were  not  only 
Stopped,  hut  held  at  hay.  until  our  ammunition 
was  exhausted,  when  we  wen-  relieved  hy  Kirk's 
Brigade  until  we  could  replenish. 

While   our   brigade   was   taking   this   temporary 


DEFENDING    A    BATTKKY.  109 

rest  and  receiving  a  fresh  supply  of  amuiunitioi] 
the  battle  raged  desperately.  It  was  charge  an<l 
counter  charge,  one  continuous  roll  of  musket  rv, 
while  the  artillery  rained  death  and  destruction 
all  around  us.  .Just  at  this  moment  the  Sixth 
Indiana  was  ordered  to  the  front  to  defend  a  bat- 
ferv.  The  old  Sixth  went  sailing  out  on  double 
quick,  and  was  brought  up  in  line  with  a  whirl. 
We  had  only  just  formed  around  our  battery  when 
our  ears  were  greeted  by  the  peculiar  "rebel  yell," 
always  given  when  they  kk  make  a  charge;"  they 
were  coming  like  devils  through  a  thick  under 
brush,  with  their  stars  and  bars  fluttering  high  in 
the  air.  The  old  Sixth  held  her  fire  until  they 
were  within  one  hundred  yards  of  us,  when  old 
Colonel  Crittenden  gave  the  order  to  a  ready,  aim. 
tire;"  in  two  minutes  from  that  time  only  dead 
rebels  were  in  gun-shot  of  that  battery,  unless  it 
was  some1  poor  fellow  too  badly  wounded  to  get 
away.  Twice  as  many  rebels  could  not  have  cap 
tured  that  battery.  I>y  this  time  the  balance  of 
the  brigade  was  brought  up,  and  we  immediately 
took  position  on  the  front  line.  A  general  ad 
vance  was  ordered,  and  shortly  McCook's  whole 
Division  was  engaged.  We  soon  drove  the  enemy 
beyond  General  Sherman's  old  camps.  This  was 
the  enemy's  last  effort,  except  to  hold  the  Union 
forces  in  check  to  cover  their  retreat. 

While  MeCook's  Division  had  been  doing  such 
splendid  work,  Xelson  and  Oittenden  had  done 
equally  well.  At  the  same  time  the  right  wing. 


110  III>T<H!Y    OK    THK    SIXTH     KKiil.MliNI. 

composed  of  the  Army  of  flu-  Tennessee,  and 
which  had  been  so  terribly  handled  the  day  be  ton- 
Jiad  steadily  gained  on  the  enemy  all  day,  and 
about  four  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  rebels  fled  in 
disorder  and  confusion  from  the  field,  leaving  be 
hind  their  dead  and  wounded.  The  first  intima 
tion  we  liad  that  the  "  victory  was  ours "  waif 
given  us  by  General  Rousseau,  who  came  riding 
up  the  line  in  a  sweeping  gallop,  swinging  bis  bat 
over  bis  bead,  and  in  a  voice  that  might  have  been 
heard  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  "The  rebels  are  fly 
ing!  The  rebels  are  flying!  The  victory  is  ours!" 
and  as  the  old  hero,  on  his  splendid  sorrel  charger 
went  up  the  line,  making  the  mud  and  water  fly 
for  rods  in  every  direction,  one  spontaneous  shout 
for  joy  rent  the  ail',  while  the  hats  went  many  feet 
into  the  air:  some  laughed  and  some  cried.  Just 
at  this  time  we  got  orders  to  stack  arms,  which 
we  did.  and  then  there  was  one  universal  hand 
shaking.  Oh.  was'nt  that  a  glorious  meeting!  I 
don't  know  anything  about  how  happy  the  angels 
are  in  Heaven,  but  if  they  feel  any  better  than  I 
did  at  that  time,  I  don't  care  much  how  soon  1  am 
one  of  them. 

Professor  Kettell.  in  his  history  of  the  (treat 
.Rebellion,  has  this  to  say  of  the  battle  v>f  Shiloh  : 

kt  On  the  .")th  of  April,  the  force  under  (irant,  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Pitts  burg  Landing,  composed 
of  five  divisions,  under  (ieiieral  McClernand,  Brig 
adier  (icncral  YV.  II.  L.  Wallace.  Major-!  ieiieral 
Lewis  Wallace.  Brigadier-General  Ilurlhut  and 


DESCRIPTION    OF    THK    BATTLl!.  Ill 

Brigadier-General  W.  T.  Sherman,  the  whole 
constituting  what  was  known  as  the  Army  of 
West  Tennessee.  Of  these,  General  Lewis  Wal 
lace's  Division  was  at  Crump's  Landing,  six  miles 
below  Pittsburg  Landing,  while  the  remainder  of 
the  army  lay  immediately  around  the  latter  place; 
BnelFs  forces  were  thirty  miles  distant  from  the 
river,  which  they  were  approaching  from  the  di 
rection  of  Nashville  as  rapidly  as  the  heavy  roads 
would  permit.  The  troops  on  the  west  hank  of 
the  Tennessee  occupied  the  following  positions: 
On  the  extreme  right  was  Sherman's  Division,  rest 
ing  on  Owl  Creek,  about  three  miles  from  I'itts- 
burg  Landing ;  next  came  McClernand's  Division; 
and  next  to  him,  on  the  left,  was  General  Prentiss, 
having  charge  of  a  subdivision  of  McClernand's 
command,  resting  on  Lick  Creek,  at  a  distance  of 
nearly  three  miles  from  the  river;  YV.  II.  L.  Wal 
lace's  Division  acted  as  a  support  to  Sherman  and 
McClernand,  and  llurlburt's  as  a  support  to  the 
left  wing  under  Prentiss.  The  troops  thus  formed 
a  sort  of  semi-circle  between  Owl  and  Lick  Creeks, 
which  run  at  right  angles  with  the  Tennessee 
"River,  and  are  about  three  miles  apart.  They 
were  probably  too  widely  scattered  to  support 
each  other  readily  in  case  of  a  sudden  attack  by 
superior  numbers,  but  the  field  had  been  selected, 
and  the  positions  assigned,  by  one  of  the  ablest 
Generals  in  the  service,  whose  judgment  has  since 
been  amply  confirmed  by  the  first  military  author 
ities  of  the  country;  and  General  Grant  was  ad- 


11-  m-i-roKY  OF  THI:  SIXTH   KK<;IMI;M. 


ditionally  protected  hy  several  irunhoats  anchored 
oft  tin-  landing  and  was  also  in  lionrlv  expeeta- 
tion  of  the  arrival  of  General  Buell. 

.On  the  morning  of  April  3d,  .Johnson  «>-ave  or 
ders  for  the  rehel  troops  to  march  from  Corinth 
to  Pittshurii'  Landing.  In  consequence  of  had 
roads  and  inclement  weather  the  advance  was  un 
expectedly  slow.  an<l  it  was  not  until  the  evening 
of  the  ">th  that  the  attacking  force  was  concen 
trated  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Federal  position. 

The  rehel  army  was  formed  in  three  lines.  The 
first,  under  General  Ilardee,  extended  from  Owl 
Creek  on  the  left  to  Lick  Creek  on  the  rio'ht.  The 
second,  under  Bra"-"',  followed  the  first  at  an  in 
terval  of  eiirlit  hundred  yards,  and  the  corps  of 
Polk  formed  the  third  line1  in  columns-  of  brigades, 
with  lotteries  in  rear  of  each  hri^ade.  The  re 
serves  were  under  Brecken  ridge. 

At   ti   o'clock,   on    the    morning   of   the    Uth,   the 

advancing  line  suddenly  drove  in  the  picket>  of 
J'rentiss'  Corps.  Into  the  half-aroused  camps 
thronged  the  rehel  regiments,  firiirg  sharp  volleye 

as  they  came,  and  springing  forward  with  the 
hayoiiet.  Some  of  the'  1'nion  soldiei's  wei'e  shot 
down  as  they  were  rn  lining,  without  weapons. 
hatless,  coatless,  toward  the  river.  The  searching 
liiillets  found  others  in  their  tents,  where  they  still 
slumbered,  while  the  unseen  foe  rushed  on.  Others 
fell  as  they  were  disentangling  themselves  from 
the  flaps  that  formed  the  doors  to  their  tents: 


DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    BATTLE.  1LS 

others,  again,  as  they  were  buckling  on  tlieir  ac- 
eoutrenients  ;  and  not  a  tew,  it  was  said,  as  thcv 
were  vainly  trying  to  impress  on  the  exultant 
enemy  their  readiness  to  surrender. 

Officers  were  wounded  in  their  heds  and  left  for 
dead,  who,  through  two  days,  lay  gasping-  \\\  their 
agony, and  were'  subsequently  found  in  their  tents, 
still  ahle  to  tell  the  tale. 

Thus  were  overwhelmed  Prentiss*  snhdivision 
and  Ilildebrand's  Brigade  of  Sherman's  .Division, 
wliieli  retire<l,  leaving  tlieir  camps  and  guns. 

The  remainder  of  Sherman's  Division,  aroused 
hy  the  alarm,  had  sprung  to  their  arms  harelv  in 
time  to  receive  the  onslaught  of  the  enemv,  who 
came  sweeping  against  tlieir  front  They  man 
aged,  partkilly,  to  check  the  advance,  and  to  retire 
upon  a  ridge  in  the  rear,  where  they  thwarted 
every  effort  of  the  enemy  to  Hank  the  army  on  the 
right,  holding,  as  General  Grant  said,  ••  The  key- 
point  of  the  Landing." 

The  shout  of  the  men,  the  roar  of  guns  and  rat 
tle  of  muskets,  were  arousing  rapidly  the  whole 
army,  and  MuClernand  soon  formed  his  right  t<> 
sustain  Sherman. 

Prentiss'  Corps  was  partially  rallied  in  an  open 
space  surrounded  hy  scrub  oaks,  which  was  tilled 
with  the  enemy,  who,  thus  covered,  slaughtered 
them  at  his  leisure.  Two  whole  regiments,  with 
General  Prentiss,  were  captured  and  marched  to 
the  rear,  with  others,  and  the  subdivision  was 
practically  disorganized. 
8 


114  HISTORY    01'    THi;    SIXTH    l:K< ; IMRNT. 

The  first  availal>le  hrigade  of  W.  II.  L.  Wallace's 
Division  now  advanced  to  support  Stuart,  of  Sher 
man's  Division,  hut  lost  its  way  and  was  repulsed* 
Soon  after  McClemand  got  into  action,  he  was 
compelled  to  draw  in  his  brigades  that  had  sup 
ported  Sherman  to  protect  his  left  against  the 
onset  of  the  rebels,  who,  seeing1  how  he  had  weak 
ened  himself  there,  and  inspired  hy  their  recent 
success  over  Prentiss,  hurled  themselves  against 
him  with  tremendous  force.  A  couple  of  new 
regiments,  the  Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth  Iowa,  were 
hrought  up,  hut  to  utterly  raw  troops  the  heavy 
tire  was  too  severe  a  trial,  and  they  gave  way  in 
confusion.  To  meet  the  attack, the  whole  division 
then  made  a  change  of  front  and  faced  along  the 
Corinth  road.  Here  the  hatteries  weiv  placed  in 
position,  and  till  ten  o'clock  the  rehels  were  foiled 
in  every  attempt  to  gain  the  road. 

This  disposition,  however,  left  a  gap  between 
McClernand  and  Sherman,  which  the  rehels 
promptly  availed  themselves  of  for  the  purpose  of 
turning  the  former's  right.  Ihvsser's  hattery  ot 
rifled  guns  opened  on  them  as  they  passed,  and 
with  fearful  slaughter.  The  nmnhers  of  the 
enemy  told  terribly  in  the  strife.  The  constan-t 
arrival  of  fresh  regiments  at  last  overpowered  Mr- 
Clernand's  shrinking  division. 

The  line  and  general  officers  had  Buffered 
severely.  The  batteries  were  hroken  up,  and 
several  of  the  guns  lost,  hut  the  soldiers  fought 
bravelv  to  the  last  under  a  fearful  disadvantage. 


DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    KATTLE.  115 

Gradually  they  began  falling  back,  more  slowly 
than  had  Prentiss'  regiments,  and  making  more 
determined  resistance,  because  better  organized. 
Occasionally  rallying  and  repulsing  the  enemy,  in 
turn,  for  a  hundred  yards,  then  being  beaten  back 
again  and  renewing  the  retreat  to  some  new  posi 
tion  for  fresh  defense.  The  Union  front  to  the  left 
and  center  was  thus  cleared  of  its  original  divi 
sions,  and  at  1:2  o'clock  the  chief  burden  of  the 
fight  fell  upon  the  divisions  of  Hnrlbut,  Wallace 
and  Sherman,  which  now  stood  between  the  army 
and  destruction.  The  troops  of  the  broken 
brigades  and  divisions  had  fallen  to  the  rear,  some 
stragglers  going  as  far  as  the  river  bank.  These 
were  brought  back,  and  in  some  cases  regiments 
were  patched  up  and  hurried  to  the  front. 

According  to  general  understanding,  in  the 
event  of  an  attack  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  Major- 
General  Lew  Wallace  was  to  come  in  on  our  right 
and  flank  the  rebels  by  marching  across  from 
Crump's  Landing  below,  but  through  misdirection 
as  to  the  wav,  he  took  a  long  and  circuitous  route, 
and  never  reached  the  battle-field  until  the  fighting 
was  over  for  the  day.  Meanwhile  the  divisions 
of  Hnrlbnt  and  W.  II.  L.  Wallace,  extending 
somewhat  to  the'  left,  nobly  sustained  an  unequal 
struggle  against  the  overpowering  rebel  masses. 
Three  times  did  the  enemy  bear  heavily  with  their 
full  strength  upon  llnrlbnt,  and  three  times  were 
they  repulsed  with  terrible  slaughter.  But  the 
force  of  the  enemv  was  too  "Teat,  ami  it  was 


1H>  HISTORY    OF    THK    SIXTH     KK<  JIMKNT. 

handled  with  admirable  skill.  Repulse  was  noth 
ing  to  them.  A  rusli  on  our  lines  tailed,  tlu-v 
took  their  disordered  troops  to  tlie  real'  and  sent 
up  fresh  troops,  who,  ignorant  ot  tlie  fearful  re 
ception  awaiting  tliein,  pushed  forward  without 
hesitation.  The  jaded  division  was  finally  com 
pelled  to  yield,  and,  after  six  hours'  magnificent 
fighting,  fell  hack  to  a  point  within  half  a  mile  of 
the  Landing. 

The  retirement  of  Ilurlhut,  left  \V.  H.  L.  Wal 
lace's  division  still  fighting  with  determined  front. 
It  had  for  some'  hours  maintained  almost  a  con 
tinuous  roll  of  musketry,  and  kept  its  ground 
against  four  separate  charges  of  the  enemy,  hut 
the  supports  being  now  gone,  retreat  was  impera 
tive.  At  this  moment  Wallace  frll  and  was  home 
from  the  field,  and  the  division  fell  hack.  It  was 
now  tour  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  hoth  sides 
were  somewhat  exhausted  hy  ten  hours  of  almost 
continuous  fighting.  Xaturallv  enough,  there-tore, 
a  lull  took  p'ace  in  the  firing,  which  was  well  im 
proved  hy  Grant.  Sherman  had  meanwhile  formed 
a  new  and  strong  line  on  the  right,  which  was  pro 
longed  to  the  left  hy  re-formed  brigades  and  regi 
ments  from  the  remaining  divisions  of  the  army, 
while  with  excellent  judgment  Colonel  Webster, 
Grant's  chief  of  artillery,  placed  the'  remaining 
pieces  in  a  semi-circle  on  the  left  so  as  to  pour  a 
concentrated'  fire  upon  the  enemy  who.it  was  sup 
posed  were  massing  for  a  last  desperate  onset  in 


DESCRIPTION    OF   THE    BATTI.K.  117 

this  direction.  Tho  gun-boats,  Tyk'r  and  Lex 
ington,  also  moved  up  to  tlie  inoutli  of  Lick 
Creek,  to  bring  tlieir  guns  within  range  of  tlie 
enemy,  scarcely  more  than  half  a  mile  distant. 

In  addition  to  this  protection,  the  hard-pressed 
army,  were  cheered  by  the  intelligence  that  Xel- 
on's  Division,  constituting  tlie  advance  of  Bnell, 
had  reached  the  eastern  hank  of  tlie  Tennessee, 
and  would  soon  cross  to  their  assistance. 

Suddenly,  at  about  five  o'clock,  the  enemy  burst 
upon  the  Union  left,  only  to  be  swept  down  In- 
steady  volleys  of  musketry  and  the  withering  tire 
of  the  batteries.  To  add  to  their  consternation, 
the  huge  gun  8  of  the  Tyler  and  Lexington  ploughed 
into  their  Hanks.  Again  and  again  did  the  rebels 
attempt  To  break  through  the  circle  of  tire,  within 
which  the  Union  Army  stood  at  bay.  The  posi 
tion  seemed  impregnable.  Disappointed  and  dis 
heartened,  they  at  length  retired  at  nightfall,  and 
the  battle  was  over  for  the  day.  So  far  was  the 
Union  Army  from  being  beaten,  that  General 
(irant  had  some  time  before  this,  issued  orders  to 
his  Division  Commanders  to  prepare  to  assume  the 
offensive  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning. 

The  rebels  had  suffered  during  the  day  and  ex 
perienced  an  irreparable  loss  in  the  death  of  Gen 
eral  Johnson,  who  was  killed  at  half  past  two 
o'clock.  His  troops  exhausted  by  the  previous 
march  and  twelve  hours'  combat,  could  not  collect 
and  send  to  the  rear  the  spoils  captured,  but  slept 


UN  HISTORY  MI--  TIN:  SIXTH   KKUIMKNT. 

on  their  arms.  General  Beauregard,  now  in  com 
mand,  established  liis  headquarters  at  Shiloh 
Church,  hoping  that  some  delay  would  prevent  the 
arrival  of  General  Bnell,  who  he  knew  was  on  the 
march.  Throughout  the  night  the  gun-boats  bom- 
barded  ihe  rehel  position  not  only  preventing  an 
advance,  but  actually  compelling  the  enemy  to  re 
tire  a  short  distance. 

A  drenching  rain  set  in  during  the  night,  in  the 
midst  of  which  the  troops  of  General  Buell  arrived. 
He  had  reached  Savannah  on  the  evening  of  tin1 
oth,  General  Nelson  leading  the  advance.  On  the 
morning  of  the  (Jth  the  firing  in  the  direction  of 
Pittsburg  was  heard,  and  General  Buell  sent  or 
ders  for  the  division  in  the  rear  to  leave  the  trains 
and  hurry  forward. 

Nelson  was  ordered  at  half  past  one  o'clock,  to 
leave  his  guns  to  be  carried  in  steamboats,  the 
roads  being  impracticable  for  artillery  and  to 
march  the  men  opposite  Pittsburg  Landing,  where 
General  Bnell  himself  arrived  late  on  the  Uth. 

During  the  night  of  the  lith,  the  division  of  Nel 
son  crossed  the  river  and  took  position  on  the 
I'liion  left.  It  was  followed  by  the  divisions  of 
General  T.  L.  Grit-tendon  and  McCook.  which  were 
posted  on  the  left  center  and  center,  while  the 
troops  which  had  participated  in  the  battle  of  the 
6th  occupied  the  right  center  and  right.  The  ex 
treme  right  was  held  by  General  Lewis  Wallace's 
Division,  which  also  arrived  on  the  night  of  the 
6th. 


DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    HATTLK.  119 

The  last  named* General  opened  the  action  at  an 
early  hour  on  the  7th,  by  shelling'  some  rebel  bat 
teries  in  his  immediate  front,  and  under  cover  of 
his  tire  the  whole  right  win"-  advanced  some  dis 
tance.  The  fighting  was  by  no  means  so  severe  as 
on  the  previous  day,  but  the  enemy,  nevertheless, 
mad**  some  desperate  efforts  on  either  wing  to 
maintain  the  ground  they  had  gained.  At  one 
time  Wallace  was  so  hard  pressed  that  he  was 
obliged  to  send  to  Sherman  for  aid.  Finally,  how 
ever,  the  rebels  on  this  part  of  the  line  were  pushed 
back  beyond  the  position  they  had  held  on  the 
night  of  the  5th,  and  retreated  from  the  hard 
fought  field. 

On  the  left  the  contest  was  more  severe.  Xel- 
son's  division  was  first  engaged,  and  advanced  so 
rapi<llv  as  to  expose  its  right  flank,  which  forced 
him  to  retire  until  reinforced  by  Boyle's  Brigade, 
of  Crittenden's  Division,  when  he  again  moved 
forward  and  drove  back  the  enemy,  capturing 
some  of  their  guns  and  occupying  the  rising- 
ground  in  front. 

On  the  right  of  Xelson  came  up  Crittendcn. 
Between  eight  and  nine  o'clock,  while  keeping 
Smith's  Brigade  on  his  left  up  even  with  Xelson's 
flank,  and  joining  Boyle's  Brigade  to  McCook's  on 
the  right,  in  the  grand  advance  Crittenden  came 
upon  the  enemy  with  a  battery  in  position,  and 
well  supported.  Smith  dashed  his  brigade  for 
ward,  and  for  a  short  time  there  was  close  work 
with  musketrv  until  the  rebels  fled,  leaving  us 


rjl>  HISTORY    01      'nil:    SIXTH     KIJ.IMKVi. 

three  pieces,  a  twelve-pound  howitzer  ami  two 
brass  six-pounders*  For  halt'  an  hour  the  storm 
raged  around  these  captured  guns:  then  came  the 
returning  rebel  wave  that  liadliurled  Nelson  back. 
Crittenden,  too,  caught  its  full  force.  They  swept 
up  to  the  battery,  and  down  after  our  retreating 
column,  but  the  two  brigades,  like  those  of  Nel 
son  to  their  left,  took  a  fresh  position,  faced  the 
foe  and  held  their  ground. 

Mendenhall's  and  Bartlett's  Batteries  now  be 
gan  shelling  the  rebel  infantry,  which  paused,  and 
finally  fell  back.  A  gallant  charge  secured  the 
contested  battery,  while  the  rebels  retreated 
toward  the  left.  Smith  and  Boyle  holding  the  in 
fantry  well  in  hand.  Mendenhall  again  got  their 
range  and  poured  in  she'll  on  the  new  position. 
The  enemy's  line  now  commenced  a  retrograde 
movement,  which  both  Xelson  and  (Yittenden  vig 
orously  pushed.  Tin1  brigade  of  Wood  arrived 
soon  after  and  joined  in  the  pursuit,  and  the  left 
was  safe.  Meantime  McCook,  in  the  center,  after 
a  tierce1  tight  with  the  opposing  foe,  had  driven 
him  to  the  woods.  As  Buell's  fresh  troops  suc 
cessively  arrived  upon  the  left  and  center,  the 
enemy,  whose  reserves  were  exhausted,  com 
menced,  about  two  o'clock,  a  general  retreat.  At 
a  distance  of  eight  hundred  yards  he  made  a 
stand,  and  opened  with  his  artillery,  but,  being 
pushed  by  Crittenden,  retired  with  the  loss  of  a 
battery.  The  rear  guard  of  the  enemy,  under 
Breckenridge,  held  on  the  nin'ht  of  the  7th,  du ring 


THE    LOSS    OF    BOTH    ARMIES.  121 

a  severe1  rain,  the  ground  Occupied  by  him  on  the 
night  of  the  5th. 

On  the  Sth,  General  Sherman  started  in  pursuit, 
and  succeed  in  routing  a  body  of  rebel  cavalry, 
whose  camp  he  captured,  with  a  quantity  of  am 
munition.  The  line  of  retreat  was  found  to  be 
strewn  with  small  arms,  clothing  and  accoutre 
ments.  The  constant  rains  had  made  the  roads 
nearlv  impassible,  and  the  pursuit,  in  consequence, 
soon  terminated. 

The  official  report  of  General  Bean  regard 
placed  his  loss  at  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  killed,  eight  thousand  and  twelve 
wounded,  and  nine  hundred  and  fifty-nine  missing: 
total,  ten  thousand  six  hundred  and  ninety-nine. 
His  forces  did  not  retain  any  of  the  material  cap 
tured  on  Sunday,  except  that  the  men  who  were 
badly  armed  exchanged  their  weapons  for  the 
superior  rifles  found  on  the  battle-field.  The 
Union  loss  of  cannon  on  the  Oth  was  about  bal 
anced  by  their  captures  on  the  7th. 

The  Union  loss  in  the  two  day's  fighting  was,  in 
General  Grant's  army,  one  thousand  three  hundred 
and  forty-nine  killed,  five  thousand  nine  hundred 
and  twentv-seven  wounded,  and  three  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  seventy  missing,  making  a  total 
of  eleven  thousand  three  hundred  and  fifty-six. 
In  General  Buell's  army,  the  loss  was  two  hundred 
and  sixty-five  killed,  one  thousand  eleven  hundred 
and  ninety-four  wounded,  and  ninety-three  miss 
ing,  making  a  total  loss  of  two  thousand  one  bun- 


l'2'2  IN>TOI:Y   "F  yni:  HXTH    1:1:1;  IMI-NT. 

dred  and  fifty-two.  The  grand  total  loss  in  both  the 
I'liion  armies  was  thirteen  thousand  five  hundred 
and  eight. 

The  Sixtli  Regiment  had  no  officers  killed  or 
wounded  at  the  hattle  of  Shiloh.  Company  u  A '' 
liad  one  man  killed.  Oliver  K.  .lovce,  and  two 
wounded,  Thomaa  Lund  and  John  A.  Kellev.  The 
record  shows  none  killed  or  wounded  in  Company 
UB  in  this  hattle.  Company  "C*  men  also 
escaped  unhurt.  Company  -k  1)  "  had  none  killed, 
but  three  wounded,  Edward  Conover,  Almond 
Haekett  and  John  MeCullough. 

Company  u  K"  had  one  man  killed.  Aaron  Hun 
ter,  and  none  wounded. 

Company  'k  F"  had  five  men  killed,  William  M. 
Allstott,  David  Baugh,  Michael  Fineran,  Peter 
Lore,  and  James  II.  O'Brien.  The  record  shows 
none  wounded. 

Company  "(-i"  had  none  killed  or  wounded  in 
this  hattle. 

Company  k-  II  "  reports  none  killed  or  wounded 
in  this  engagement. 

Company  "I"  reports  none  killed  or  wounded 
in  this  hattle. 

Company  "K"  reports  none  killed  and  only  one 
wounded,  William  L.  Marshall. 

Making  in  all  seven  killed  and  six  wounded  at 
the  hattle  of  Shiloh. 

It  may  be  said,  as  a  truth,  that  Shiloh  was  the 
first  opportunity  the  Sixth  Regiment  had  ever  had 
to  fully  realize  what  war  was,  but  at  the  close  of 


A    DKAK    VICTORY.  123 

tliis  terrible  struggle,  we  were  well   aware  that   it 
meant    neither    fun    nor    pastime,    neither   was    it 
.altogether  void  of  danger. 

While  we  had  gained  a  great  victory,  and  fully 
realized  that  we  were  the  victors,  yet  were  well 
aware  of  the  fact  that  it  was  a  dearly  bought  vic 
tory.  It  had  cost  us  the  lives  of  one  thousand  six 
hundred  brave  men,  while  nearly  eight  thousand 
bad  been  made  cripples  for  life,  or,  perhaps,  mor 
tally  wounded,  as  many  died  after  a  short  period 
of  terrible  suffering.  Roll  call  on  the  evening  of 
the  7th  of  April,  1862,  found  the  Sixth  Regiment 
thirteen  short  of  only  a  few  hours  before,  with 
seven  of  this  number  cold  in  death,  lying  here  and 
there  over  the  battle  field,  half  buried  in  mud  and 
water,  while  the  other  six,  pierced  by  the  enemy's 
bullets,  had  been  carried  to  the  rear  to  suffer,  and, 
perhaps,  die  of  their  wounds.  But  the  battle  is  over, 
and  the  next  tiling  is  to  care  for  the  living,  and  we 
started  from  where  we  fired  our  last  shot  back  to 
ward  the  river,  both  to  find  dry  ground  on  which 
to  camp,  and,  if  possible,  to  secure  rations.  We 
were  successful  in  both,  for  soon  we  found  an  ele 
vated  spot  above  water  where  fires  were  built, 
and  soon  the  steaming  camp  kettle  told  of  coffee: 
add  to  this  salt  bacon  and  hard  crackers,  and  you 
have  the  supper  on  which  the  tired,  hungry  soldier 
feasted  that  evening.  But  it  was  good;  yes,  any 
thing  to  eat,  no  matter  what,  the  soldier  ate  it 
with  a  relish,  and  was  happy.  <  hily  think  of  what 
we  had  passed  through  in  the  last  forty-eight 


124  HI-TOKY  OF  TIM;  MXTII   I:K«;IMENT. 


hours,  and  now  here  comfortably  seated  around 
our  camp  tiros,  sipping  our  coffee,  in  full  possession 
of  tin*  battle  field,  with  the  enemy  completely 
routed  and  fleeing  for  life  through  the  swamps  to 
ward  Corinth,  leaving  behind  them  over  ten 
thousand,  killed  and  wounded,  with  manv  pris 
oners. 

.Every  member  of  the  Sixth  felt  proud  of  his 
record  on  that  day,  and  each  one  had  his  story  to 
tell  of  what  lie  had  clone;  in  fact,  each  one'  fe.lt 
himself  a  "  hero  in  the  strife,  and  the  part  our 
regiment  took  in  the  battle  was  the  theme  that  oc 
cupied  the  mind  of  the  soldier  the  halance  of  the 
evening,  until  tired  and  weary  we  turned  in  for 
the  night. 

In  oui-  joy  and  exultations  we  had  ceased  to  re 
gard  the-  incessant  rain  as  a  matter  of  much  conse 
quence.  We  had  got  used  to  that,  as  it  had  rained 
constantly  the  whole  day  lon<£,  and  as  the  country 
round  about  was  ijuite  level,  the  battle  tield  pre 
sented  the  appearance  of  a  great  swamp,  or  lake. 
But  what  did  we  cure  for  water,  or  rain,  or  mini, 
or  rebels  either  for  that  matter;  fifteen  minutes 
after  we  stretched  ourselves  upon  the  cold,  wet 
ground. 


CHAPTER  VIL. 

WE  GO  INTO  CAMP. 

We  bury  the  dead  of  both  sides — Governor  Morton  visits  us— 
Curious  sights  to  be  seen  on  the  battle  field — Change  of  Com 
manders — We  break  camp  and  start  for  Corinth — A.  big  scare 
— Corinth  evacuated. 

The1  morning  of  the  8tli  dawns  and  it  is  still 
raining  and  is  dark  and  gloomy.  The  bugle's 
morning  call  roused  a  lot  of  sore,  tired  and  weary 
boys,  some  sick  and  not  fit  for  duty.  But  after 
coffee,  suitable  camping  ground  was  selected  and 
\ve  moved  on  it  and  put  up  tents,  and  while  a  part 
of  the  regiment  is  doing  this  the  Orderly  makes  a 
detail  to  go  and  bury  the  dead. 

The  writer  had  charge  of  this  detail  ;  we  pro 
vided  ourselves  with  the  necessary  tools,  and 
struck  out  to  til  id  a  place  where  the  dead  lie  the 
thickest.  We  had  not  gone  very  far,  when  I  step 
ped  upon  a  log,  and,  although  it  was  heavy  tim 
bered  land  covered  with  logs  and  brush,  I  counted 
thirty-five  dead  rebels  from  my  position  where  I 
stood  on  the'  log,  and  I  said,  "boys,  here  is  the 
place;"  the  next  point  was  to  find  a  spot  above 
water.  This  we  did,  and  went  to  work,  and  while 
some  would  dii>%  others  would  carry  up  the  dead; 


12<>  IIISTOKY   or  Tin:  SIXTH    KI:<;I.MK\T. 

we  dug  a  pit  or  grave,  six  feet  wide  and  forty  feet 
longhand,  say,  about  three  toot  deep.  In  this  grave 
we  laid  the  bodies  side  by  side  until  the  bottom  of 
the  pit  was  oovored.  Whenever  we  could  tret 
thorn,  blankets  were  spread  over  the  bodies,  when 
wo  could  not  get  blankets,  their  coats  were  taken 
ott  and  spread  over  their  faces,  and,  without  any 
further  ceremony,  the  poor  unfortunate,  misguided 
fellows  were  covered  up.  No  tears  won1  shed,  no 
mourners  wore  around  this  lonely  spot.  This  work 
was  continued  day  after  day  until  all  the  dead 
were  buried,  and  the  great  battle  field  became  the 
bu ry in g  ground  of  both  armies. 

The  reader  can  form  some  idea  of  what  is  meant 
when  we  speak  of  burying  the  dead  if  lie  will  only 
remember  the  killed  on  this  battle-  tield  numbered 
••5,842.  Now,  suppose  when  those  men  are  laid  side 
by  side  in  one  lout?  grave  they  occupy  two  foot  to 
the  man.  \Ve  then  have  <>,l)84  feet  which  is  a  little 
less  than  one  mile  and  throe  <|Uarters.  Hut  lot  us  re 
turn  to  camp,  where  we  find  the  boys  writing  home 
to  family  and  friends,  reporting  the  glad  news  of 
their  safety,  giving  a  description  of  the  battle,  etc. 

It  was  near  the  last  of  April  before  the  armv 
made  a  general  move  on  toward  Corinth. 

The  Sixth  Regiment  underwent  some  important 
changes  during  this  time.  Its  Colonel,  T.  T.  Crit-- 
tendon,  had  been  promoted  to  a  Brigadier-General, 
to  date  April  28,  1802.  To  till  the  vacancy  eau>ed 
by  this  promotion,  Captain  I*.  P.  Bald  win,  of  Com 
pany  u  A,"  was  promoted  to  the  place.  On  the  l!»tli 


VISIT    OF    (iOVKRNOR    MORTON.  127 

of  May,  1802,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hiram  1 'rather 
resigned,  and  Captain  Hagerman  Tripp,  of  Com 
pany  "  B, "  was  promoted  to  the  vacancy.  Before 
leaving  the  regiment,  both  Colonel  Crittenden  and 
Lieutenant  Colonel  I 'rather  made  the  regiment  a 
very  affectionate  farewell  address. 

It  was  shortly  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and 
while  we  lie  here  in  this  swamp  that  the  Great 
Statesman  and  Soldiers'  Friend,  the  Great  War 
Governor,  of  Indiana,  Oliver  1*.  Morton,  came  to 
see  us  and  to  look  after  the  welfare  of  the  troops 
of  his  State.  I  shall  never  forget  how  his  address 
to  our  regiment  imbued  new  life  and  courage  in 
every  man.  America  has  never  produced  a  braver, 
more  lion-hearted  and  patriotic  man  than  Oliver 
P.  Morton. 

During  his  address  on  this  occasion  I  remember 
to  have  made  up  my  mind  that  1  was  fortunate  in 
heing  an  Indiana  soldier,  and  was  proud  of  it.  I  was 
proud  of  our  noble  and  patriotic  Governor,  and 
decided  to  grasp  his  hand  before  he  left  the  camp, 
and  as  soon  as  his  address  was  concluded  I  started 
to  him,  but  the  rush  was  so  great  that  it  was  some 
minutes  before  I  reached  him;  a  hearty  shake  of 
the  hand,  with  a  "  God  bless  you  !"  forever  sealed 
my  friendship  for  this  great  man. 

We  changed  camp  several  times  in  order  to  get 
clear  of  tilth  and  mud,  for  it  rained  constantly  for 
two  weeks;  nearly  the  whole  of  April  was  put  in 
here  on  this  battlefield  floundering  around  in  the 
mud  and  rain  ;  quite  a  number  of  the  men  took 


]'2*  HISTORY    OF    THi:    sIXTU     KIH  ;  I.M  KNT. 

down  sick  and  liad  to  be  sent  to  the  ivjir.  and  the 
wonder  is  that  nearly  every  man  of  the  regiment. 
and  in  fact  of  the  entire*  army  did  not  get  down 
sick,  for  while  there  was  plenty  of  water,  yet 
where  should  we  get  water  to  drink  and  to  cook 
with  except  to  take  the  draining  of  this  battle 
field,  which  was  covered  with  the  decomposing 
bodies  of  both  men  and  horses,  as  well  as  the  ac 
cumulation  of  tilth  of  both  armies. 

Many  curious  as  well  as  interesting  sights  were 
to  be  seen  on  this  battlefield.  Scarcely  a  tree  <>r 
bush  bad  escaped  the1  musket  balls,  bushes  were 
cut  off,  while  trees  had  been  hit  on  every  side  and 
from  the  ground  to  the  limbs,  cannon  halls  had 
ploughed  through  tree  tops  and  in  many  cases  left 
them  without  a  branch.  'Frees  bad  been  shivered 
into  splinters,  while  the  ground  was  covered  with 
brush  and  down  timber.  In  many  places  could  be 
seen  where  the  huge  shells  from  the  gunboats  bad 
ploughed  great  pits  in  the  ground,  deep  enough  to 
bury  a  horse,  and  in  one  place  I  saw  where  a  shell 
had  struck  a  tree  within  a  few  feet  of  a  body  of 
rebels  and  in  exploding,  it  had  torn  into  fragments 
tive  men,  some  of  the  parts  we  could  not  find,  but 
simply  gathered  the  pieces  and  covered  them  up  in 
a  hole. 

Terrible  are  the  results  of  war. 

President  Lincoln's  war  order.  No.  o,  created 
the  De  part  men  t  of  the  Mississippi,  and  placed  Ma 
jor-General  \V.  II.  llalleck  in  command.  Thi> 
consolidated  <  lein-ral  Buell's  Army  of  the  Ohio  and! 


THE    START    FOR    CORINTH.  l^l 

General  Grant's  Army  of  tin*  Tennessee,  into  one 
army,  under  the  immediate  connnand  of  JIalleck. 
With  the  smaller  detached  forces,  which  also  fell 
under  his  command,  llalleck  had  an  army  under 
him  of  over  one  hundred  thousand  effective  menr 
with  such  ahle  lieutenants  as  Grant,  Buell  and 
Sherman  as  corps  commanders. 

After  sending- small  detachments  out  in  ditfcrent 
directions  to  feel  the  enemy's  strength  and  threaten 
his  communications,  a  general  forward  movement 
toward  Corinth  was  ordered  ahout  the  27th  of 
April. 

The  enemy's  outposts  still  hovered  around  ahout 
Pittsburg  Landing.  They  had  strong  advance 
forces  at  Purdy,  Pea  Ridge  and  Monterey,  respect 
ively  six,  eight  and  ten  miles  from  the  landing. 
General  llalleck,  though- greatly  stronger  than  his 
adversary,  studiously  avoided  either  inviting  or 
provoking  a  general  engagement,  adopting  the 
policy  of  gradual  approaches  hy  parallels,  and  step 
hy  step,  hy  short  advances,  fortifying  each  new 
position,  he  slowly  neared  his  objective.  General 
Beau  regard  resisted  each  successive  encroachment 
with  greater  stubbornness  and  stronger  forces,  but 
never  in  such  strength  as  to  precipitate  a  general 
battle,  as  for  such  an  issue  he  was  not  prepared. 

On  the  8d  and  4th  of  May  General  llalleck  ad 
vanced  his  whole  line.  These  advances  always  in 
volved  heavy  skirmishing,  and  at  times  very  sharp 
fighting  by  strong  lines.  The  long  line  of  the  ad 
vancing  army,  in  order  to  keep  an  unbroken  front. 
9 


130  HISTORY    <)I     THi;    .-SIXTH    UKUJMKNT. 

was  compelled  to  make  roads.  Hardly  a  division 
made  a  movement  that  did  not  cut  a  new  road 
through  the  woods,  with  bridges  for  the  ravin«'>, 
and  long  lines  of  corduroy  for  the  swamps.  Even 
brigades  required  short  roads  to  the  left  or  right 
of  their  division  road  to  enable  them  to  occupy 
their  places  in  the  line.  And  thus  the  whole  coun 
try  was  covered  with  a  net-work  of  roads.  On 
this  immense  labor  the  time  was  occupied. 

Heavy  details  were  made  from  all  the  regiments 
to  help  along  with  this  work,  and  the  Sixth  Indi 
ana  did  her  share.  For  the  information  of  some 
who  may  not  understand  what  is  meant  by  a 
"corduroy  road,"  1  will  say  that  logs  were  rut 
about  ten  feet  long,  and  carried  by  the  men  and 
placed  side  by  side.  They  commence  on  one  side 
of  a  swamp  and  every  log  placed  extends  the  road 
out  that  much  further  over  the  swamp,  until  finally 
the  other  side  is  reached.  Sometimes  the  water 
and  mud  is  quite  deep,  then  the  logs  have  to  be 
piled  on  top  of  each  other  until  they  come  above 
water.  In  some  cases  in  crossing  these  Mississippi 
swamps  these  logs  had  to  be  carried  a  quarter  of  a 
mile,  and  were  so  heavy  as  to  require  six  or  eight 
men  to  carry  them.  The  logs  are  cut  on  dry  land, 
and  when  they  carry  a  log  out  and  place  it  they 
have  to  go  all  the  way  back  over  the  newly-made 
road  for  another;  and  so  the  work  is  kept  going 
until  miles  of  road  are  built. 

Over  this  corduroy  road  the  troops  cross  the 
swamp;  also  artillery  wagons,  supply  trains,  etc. 


CROSSING    THE    8\VAMPS.  1-51 

{Sometimes  the  horses  become  frightened  and  shy 
to  one  side,  and  one  wheel  runs  oft'  on  one  side, 
and  away  goes  horses,  wagon  and  load  into  the 
swamp.  If  the  water  and  mud  is  not  too  deep  the 
men  get  out  into  the  water  and  lift  the  wagon  back 
on  the  road  again.  But  if  the  mud  and  water  is 
very  deep  the  horses  become  mi  rod  and  sink  down 
out  of  sight  and  are  left  to  perish.  The  Sixth  Reg 
iment  not  only  helped  to  build  these  roads,  but 
crossed  the  swamp  on  them.  I  well  remember  of 
noticing  the  black,  slimy  water,  and  old  moss-cov 
ered  logs  as  we  went  over. 

As  soon  as  General  Halleck  got  his  army  all 
across  the  swamps,  the  lines  began  to  [tress  for 
ward  at  various  points  as  circumstances  would 
permit,  and  on  the  ->d  of  May  General  Paine's  Di 
vision  reconnoitered  in  force  as  far  as  Farmingtou, 
which  is  only  five  miles  from  Corinth.  Here  he 
encountered  a  force  of  four  thousand  five  hundred 
of  the  enemy,  with  four  guns.  After  a  sharp  en 
counter  the  enemy  were  driven  back  with  loss,  and 
the  Union  troops  held  the  position,  throwing  out 
pickets  toward  Corinth.  On  this  same  day  a  de 
tachment  of  General  McCook's  Division  was  sent 
out  in  another  direction.  This  advance  was  met 
by  the  enemy  in  considerable  force,  and  sharp 
lighting  occurred.  The  rebels  supposed  this  de 
tachment  to  be  isolated,  and  made  a  desperate 
effort  to  capture  it.  They  were  not  only  foiled  in 
their  effort,  but  driven  back,  and  the  Union  lines 
extended.  The  Sixth  Indiana  was  a  part  of  this 


132  m>r»»KY  OF  THK  SIXTH    I;I:<.IMI:N  i . 

detachment,  and  took  part  in  the  engagement. 
Tin*  lines  of  flalleck's  army  were  now  twelve  miles 
in  extent,  with  the  right  wing  threatening  the 
Memphis  Railroad,  and  about  one  mile  nearer 
Corinth  than  the  left. 

On  the  25th  of  May  the  army  moved  up  to 
within  three-fourths  of  a  mile  of  the  enemy's  works 
and  entrenched.  It  was  the  first  night  we  lav  in 
this  entrenchment  that  the  hoys  of  the  Sixth  irot 
a  seare  that  many  of  them  may  remember  to  this 
day.  After  the  works  were  completed  they  were 
manned  with  a  strong  picket  force,  while  the  bal 
ance  of  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  turn  in  for  the 
night,  only  a  few  feet  to  the  rear,  with  our  clothes 
all  on,  our  cartridge  boxes  buckled  around  us  and 
our  «-uns  stacked  at  our  heads,  and  to  he  ready  to 
fall  in  on  a  moment's  notice.  Kverv  indication 
seemed  to  point  to  an  attack  that  night.  It  was 
all  the  talk;  even  after  we  lay  down  for  sleep  the 
matter  was  talked  over,  until  sleep  finally  put  a 
stop  to  any  further  conversation.  The  boys  actu 
ally  went  to  sleep  expecting  to  be  called  upon  at 
any  moment  to  ''spring1  to  arms"  to  contend  in 
deadly  combat  with  Beau  regard's  whole  army. 
And  not  only  our  own  regiment  did  this,  but  hun 
dreds  of  others  back  to  our  rear  for  a  half  mile, 
the  ground  was  literally  covered  with  tired,  sleep 
ing  soldiers.  All  passed  off  quietly  until  about  '1 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  when,  unfortunately,  a 
horse  broke  loose  and  become  terribly  frightened. 
The  mad  brute  went  plunging  down  the  line  just 


A    Bid    SCARK.  133 

to  our  rear.  Of  course  every  now  and  then  IK- 
would  light  on  a  bunch  of  sleeping  men,  crushing 
tin.*  life  out  of  some,  mashing  and  breaking  the 
limbs  of  others  wherever  his  great  heavy  iron  shoes 
would  strike  them.  One  universal  seream,  followed 
by  moaning,  marked  the  track  of  this  monstrous 
brute  down  the  line  out  of  our  bearing.  The  fright 
ened  horse  frightened  the  men,  and  the  first  scream 
from  an  injured  man  brought  hundreds  of  soldiers 
to  their  feet,  and  all  hollowing  at  the  to}>  of  their 
voice,  "  f«U  /'//,"  which  was  taken  uj»  and  repeated 
by  others  until  it  spread  over  the-  entire  army,  and 
my  candid  opinion  is  that  inside  of  ten  minutes 
from  the  time  the  first  man  hollowed  "fall  in,"  not 
less  than  fifty  thousand  men  were  under  arms  and 
ready  for  duty.  Officers  could  be  heard  giving 

orders  in  everv  direction,  and  as  the  order  to  "fall 

f 

in"  came  down  the  line  it  was  sent  on  through  our 
regiment  with  almost  telegraphic  speed,  and  in  two 
minutes  from  the  first  order  to  "fall  in"  every 
member  of  the  Sixth  was  in  the  works,  ready  for 
l> //>•//< g.s-x.  Quite  a  number  of  soldiers  were  wounded, 
some  mortally,  while  a  few  were  killed.  This  ac 
cident  occurred  on  the  night  of  the  :29th  of  May, 
and  instead  of  an  attack,  the  rebels  were  evacuat 
ing  Corinth,  and  had  been  since  the  day  before. 

Very  earlv  on  the  morning  of  the  30th  explo 
sions  were  heard  in  the  direction  of  Corinth.  This 
was  the  first  intimation  Halleck  had  of  the  evacu 
ation,  although  he  had  in  person  been  forty-three 
davs  within  sixteen  miles  of  Corinth.  He  simply 


134  HISTORY    OF    THi:    HXTH    RK<  i  I.MKNT. 

knew  nothing  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy. 
Upon  hearing  the  explosions  the  pickets  in  front 
of  General  Pope's  Corps  reported  that  the  rebel 
sentinels  in  their  front  had  disappeared,  and  they 
were  at  once  ordered  forward  and  found  the  en 
trenchments  vacated.  Pope's  whole  Corps  was 
ordered  up,  and  at  11  o'clock  occupied  Corinth. 
Pursuit  was  at  once  ordered,  but  it  was  too  late, 
as  the  rebels  had  passed  beyond  the  Ilatchee  Kiver 
and  burned  the  bridge.  The  Sixth  regiment  passed 
through  the  city  and  on  south,  as  a  part  of  the 
pursuing  party,  but  did  not  go  very  far  until  they 
were  halted,  and  turned  back  and  ordered  into 
camp,  where  we  remained  until  the  10th  day  of 
June.  Corinth,  as  a  town,  does  not  amount  to 
much;  but  as  a  railroad  center  or  central  point  for 
military  supplies,  as  well  as  a  stragetical  point,  it 
was  to  the  rebels  a  point  of  very  great  importance, 
and  was  so  considered  by  the  Union  authorities 
later  on  in  the  war.  It  is  the  junction  of  the  Mo 
bile  &  Ohio  and  Memphis  &  Charleston  railroads. 
The  ten  days  we  lay  idly  around  while  here  at 
Corinth,  the  Sixth  boys  had  ample  opportunity  to 
see  the  sights  and  learn  somewhat  of  the  country. 
Among  the  sights  to  be  seen  were  the  huge  wooden 
cannon  placed  in  their  earth-works,  to  hold  us  at 
.bay  until  they  had  a  chance  to  get  away.  These 
great  dummies,  mounted  and  pointing  in  a  threat 
ening  manner  from  every  port-hole  of  the  numer 
ous  earth-works  around  Corinth,  was  too  much  for 
Hal leck'fi  stock  of  courage,  and  he  had  been  too 


T  Y  PK8  JOF    COR  I N  TH .  135 

stupid  to  learn  the  facts  in  the  case.  The  princi 
pal  part  of  the  population  consisted  of  negroes, 
alligators  and  mosquitoes.  The  negroes  were  the 
lowest-down  type  of  the- Mississippi  slave.  The 
native  whites  were  of  the  bring,  fotch  and  tote  style, 
leait,  lanl;  and  tjellou\  and  were,  of  course,  of  the 
feminine  gender,  as  the  men  were  in  the  rebel 
army. 

The  boys  did  not  forage  much  about  Corinth,  as 
everything  tit  to  eat  had  been  picked  up  by  the 
rebels,  and  then  it  was  a  poor,  God-forsaken, 
scrubby  pine-timbered  country  as  one  could  wish 
for,  tit  only  for  the  production  of  cotton,  sweet 
potatoes  and  nigger  peas.  I  don't  now  remember 
that  any  of  the  Sixth  boys  got  particularly  stuck  on 
the  place.  Nor  did  I  ever  hear  of  any  of  them  de 
serting  the  regiment  to  remain  there  on  account  of 
being  captivated  by  any  of  Corinth's  tobacco-chew- 
my,  Muff -nibbing,  -flas-lendcd,  sharp-nosed,  Imtchet- 
faced,  yellow-eyed,  salloiv-skinned,  cotton-dressed,  flat - 
breaxted,  bi()-footed,  l>«re-lu'<idcd,  Ifwy-iraisted,  /iiimp- 
shonldered,  xtoop-necked ,  bare-footed,  straddle-toed, 
xl'ftfp-shinnc.d^  thin-lipped,  pale-faced,  lantern-jawed, 
hollow-eyed,  silly -looking,  female  damsels. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

GENERAL  HALLECK  RELIEVED. 

Our  camp  at  Corinth — Both  armies  start  for  Chattanooga — 
Description  of  our  march— We  spend  4th  of  July  on  banks  of 
the  Tennessee  Kiver — We  move  on  to  Crow  Creek—"  Hold  the 
Fort,  for  I  am  coming." 

(Jeneral  Bean  regard  fell  hack  as  far  as  Okalona, 
and  on  tin-  fifteenth  of  June  turned  over  his  army 
to  General  I>rai>*»;,  which  was  reported  to  he  eighty 
tlioiisand  strong.  On  the  llth  of  July  General 
Ilalleck  was  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  1  >e- 
partment  of  the  Mississippi,  to  take  command  of 
;ill  the  land  forces  of  the  Tinted  States  as  Tom- 
mander-in-Chief.  These  changes  ot  the  head  offi 
cers  of  both  of  these-  lai'ii'e  armies  caused  their  dis 
integration  to  some  extent.  And  as  the  rebel 
armv  showed  no  disposition  to  move,  there  neces 
sarily  followed  a  passive  condition  of  our  own 
armv.  After  such  disastrous  defeats  as  the  enemy 
had  suffered,  and  such  consciousness  of  weakness 
as  the  refusal  to  o-'iye  hattle  at  Corinth  evinced. the 
leaders  in  the-  South  could  not  he  ignorant  of  the 
vital  character  of  their  next  effort.  In  this  emer 
gency  they  adopted  the  wisest  measures,  and  hv 
hiding  them  for  a  time  under  seeminir  passivity, 
they  set  to  work  witli  greatest  energy  and  earnest 
ness  to  leather  strength  for  their  execution. 


BOTH    ARMIES    START    FOR    CHATTANOOGA.  Io7 

If  Chattanooga  was  vitally  important  to  the 
National  cause,  both  as  regarded  strategy  and  po 
litical  considerations,  it  was  not  less  so  to  the  in 
surgents;  they  could  assume  the  offensive  from  no 
other  point  with  any  hope  of  success  ;  at  least  this 
place  was  a  vital  point  in  an  offensive  line.  The 
very  remoteness  of  Chattanooga  from  the  recent 
theater  of  war,  scarcely  less  than  its  inherent  strat 
egic  value,  called  thither  the  Confederate  forces,  to 

O 

spring  thence  to  Northern  Kentucky. 

This  common  aim  incited  the  eastward  march 
of  the  two  armies,  which  were  destined  to  severest 
conflict  to  the  close  of  the  war.  General  Bragg, 
who  had  succeeded  General  Bcauregard  in  western 
command,  put  his  columns  in  motion  simultane 
ously  with  the1  movement  of  the  Army  of  the 
Ohio.  Each  party  thought  to  take  advantage  of 
the  heavy  concentration  of  the  other  in  Northern 
Mississippi,  so  as  to  operate'  in  Kast  Tennessee 
without  strong  opposition.  But  the  advantage 
was  with  General  Bragg  with  respect  to  the  ruling 
contingency  to  each — the  occupation  of  Chatta 
nooga  in  force — as  he  had  an  open  way  behind  the 
hills  upon  the  south  hank  of  the  Tennessee,  with 
communications  established  when  he  should  get 
there.  AVhile  General  BuelTs  advance  involved  the 
supply  of  his  army  without  communications,  and 
a  vital  draft  upon  his  strength  to  create  them. 
General  Buell  was  informed  that  his  army  would 
return  to  Tennessee.  He  at  once  turned  the  di 
vision?  of  McCook  and  Crittenden  eastward,  with 


138  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH     KK<;IMENT. 

General  McCook  in  tlio  lead.  This  was  on  tlie 
11  tli  of  .hint*,  and  in  this  country  it  moans  the 
hottest  portion  of  the  hottest  season.  Our  route 
was  up  the  Tennessee  River,  on  the  south  side,  and 
along  the  summit  of  some  pine  ridges,  which 
seemed  parallel  with  the  river.  The  road  was  only 
wide  enough  for  wagons  to  pass,  with  tall  pines 
up  dose  on  cither  side,  whose  tops  intermingled, 
shutting  out  both  sunshine  and  daylight.  The 
soil  was  a  fine  white  sand,  or  dust,  and  was  two 
or  three  inches  deep.  The  long  winding  columns 
ahead  of  us  had  "  kicked  up  a  dust,"  so  that  the 
air  for  many  feet  out  on  either  side,  and  all 
through  these  tall  pines  was  so  thick  it  was  im 
possible  to  draw  one's  breath  without  nearly  chok 
ing  on  this  dirt,  while  the  mercury  certainly  stood 
at  not  less  than  100°.  While  the  water  we  did 
find  along  this  line  of  march  was  the  very  best 
of  pure  spring  water,  yet  we  sometimes  went  for 
miles,  or  a  half  day's  march  without  finding  any 
water  at  all.  You  load  a  man  down  witli  a  sixty- 
pound  knapsack,  his  gun  and  forty  rounds  of  am 
munition,  a  haversack  full  of  hard  tack  and  sow 
belly,  and  a  three-pint  canteen  full  of  water,  then 
start  him  along  this  narrow  roadway,  with  the 
mercury  up  to  a  hundred,  and  dust  so  thick  you 
could  taste  it,  and  you  have  done  the  next  thing 
to  killing  this  man  outright.  One  of  the  most 
painful  sights  I  ever  saw  was  the  poor  fellows  drop 
ping  out  along  this  march,  completely  overcom.- 
by  dust  and  heat,  pale  and  sick,  some  vomiting 


DESCRIPTION    OK    OUR    MARCH.  13D 

from   sick    headache,   while  others   were  fainting 
from  exhaustion. 

Tlie  Sixth  Regiment  liad  her  share  of  misfor 
tunes  while  on  this  march,  as  many  of  the  hovs 
had  to  fall  out  and  simply  wait  until  they  got  able 
to  come  on  up.  The  worst  eases  were,  of  course, 
taken  into  the  ambulances,  hut  they  were  soon 
overloaded.  I  think  it  was  the  second  day  out, 
when  we  stopped  for  dinner,  where  there  was  good 
water.  After  dinner  we  pulled  out  up  one  of  those 
pine  ridges,  and  it  seemed  to  me  that  it  was  a 
forced  march  all  the  afternoon,  and  we  saw  no 
more  water  from  where  we  took  dinner  until-  !> 
o'clock  that  night.  The  distance  must  have  been 
over  twenty  miles.  We  finally  tiled  out  of  the  main 
road  into  an  old  pasture  field,  and  the  sound  of 
the  bugle,  which  blew  the  halt,  was  not  done  ring 
ing  in  the  air  before  the  writer  was  stretched  upon 
the  ground,  caring  but  little  for  the  future.  This 
was  one  time  in  my  life  that  I  would  not  have  given 
one  straw  to  have  ever  seen  the  light  of  another 
day,  and  my  prayer  that  night  was  that  when  my 
eyes  closed  for  sleep  they  would  never  open  again 
upon  the  cares  of  this  world.  Hard,  indeed  was 
the  lot  of  the  poor  soldier,  bound  hand  and  foot 
by  the  strong  arm  of  the  law  ;  to  desert  was  death, 
to  remain  was  worse. 

But  more  dead  than  alive,  McCook's  Division 
reached  Florence  on  the  15th,  closely  followed  by 
General  Crittenden.  It  was  while  on  this  march 
the  boys  stopped  at  a  well  to  get  a  drink,  when 


140  HISTORY    OF    THE    .SIXTH    KK'.IMI.M 

the  lady  of  tin*  house  came  out  and  ordered  Jhem 
away.  Of  course  they  paid  no  attention  to  tin.' 
order,  luit  when  slie  wont  in  the  house  and  got  a 
revolver  and  commenced  tiring  into  the  squad, 
they  decided  to  <jnit.  and  did  it  right  quick,  too. 
But  an  officer  went  up  to  her  and  took  the  revol 
ver  from  her,  pushed  her  into  the  house  and  shut 
the  door  on  her,  and  told  the  hoys  to  drink  what 
they  wanted. 

Once  while  going  along  one  of  these  pine  ridges 
where  it  was  all  pine  timher,  and  the  land  too  pool- 
to  grow  vegetation  of  any  kind,  we  come  to  a 
cabin  by  the  side  of  the  road,  built  of  pine 
poles,  and  only  enough  ground  cleared  for  the 
cabin  to  set  on  :  a  long,  lean,  lank  looking  man 
stood  in  the  door,  while  around  his  long  legs  clung 
two  or  three  little  chaps,  tow-headed,  dirty  and 
ragged,  while  to  the  rear,  and  peeping  under  his 
arm  to  see  the  Yanks,  stood  what  I  supposed  was 
the  wife  and  mother.  I  stepped  up  to  him  and 
asked  him  what  the  chances  were  to  get  a  drink? 
lie  said  those  in  front  drank  up  all  the  water  he 
had.  I  then  asked  him  where  he  got  his  water? 
lie  said  at  a  spring  over  a  quarter  of  a  mile  away, 
and  under  the  hill.  I  had  no  time  to  go  that  far, 
although  nearly  perishing  f<>r  water.  While  talk 
ing  with  the  old  man  I  was  taking  a  kind  of  a 
survey  of  the  surroundings,  and  I  can't  tell  why, 
but  the  old  man  seemed  to  divine  my  thoughts,  and 
he  spoke  up  quickly,  and  said  :  u  See,  here,  stran 
ger,  I  hain't  so  darned  poor  as  you  take  me  for:  I 
don't  own  all  this  land  around  here." 


OX    BANKS    OF    TENNESSEE    RIVEK.  141 

It  was  while  we  lay  here  on  the  hanks  of  the 
Tennessee,  between  Tuscniubia  and  the  river,  that 
some  soldier  of  our  brigade  was  bitten  by  a  rattle 
snake.  He  was  taken  to  camp  and  given  all  the 
whisky  be  could  s-/r////o/r ;  the  treatment  was  kept 
up  for  a  few  days,  and  when  the  army  got  ready 
to  move  he  was  ready,  also,  to  inarch  with  ns. 
A  rattlesnake  has  no  show  at  all  with  John  llurleii 
Corn. 

On  the  26th  of  .June  we  crossed  the  river  on 
pontons,  and  started  east  along  the  north  hank 
of  the  Tennessee.  McCook's  main  column  reached 
Athens  on  the  29th,  while  (General  Buell  established 
his  headquarters  in  Iluntsville  on  the  same  day. 
Our  line  of  march  lay  along  up  the  hanks  of  the 
Tennessee,  and  on  the  4tb  day  of  July  we  laid  in 
camp  on  the  banks  of  this  beautiful  river,  near 
Iluntsville.  The  4th  of  July  was  a  most  lovely 
day,  and  it  seemed  to  me  almost  like  a  Paradise  as 
we  lay  stretched  out  under  the  great  wide-spread 
ing  elms,  enjoying  the  cool  shade,  and  taking  the 
rest  we  so  badly  .needed.  Hundreds  of  beautiful 
Southern  mocking  birds  were  fluttering  among  the 
limbs  of  these  great  elms,  warbling  their  charm 
ing  songs  in  a  manner  that  should  delight  the  an 
gels.  It  seemed  for  the  moment  that  these  angels 
of  mercy  had  gathered  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
soothing  the  drooping  spirits  of  the  tired  and 
weary  soldier  during  his  short  stay  among  them, 
and  if  possible,  to  have  him  forget  his  trials  and 
hardships,  and  thoughts  of  home  and  loneliness. 


142  HI-TORY    OK    TIM-:    SIXTH     1!K<  i  IM  KM. 

And  then  again  this  was  the  </<i>/  of  our  National 
Independence,  and  it  seemed  that  these  beautiful 
songsters  had  gathered  to  celebrate  it  in  our  pres 
ence. 

Htintsville  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  places 
we  saw  during  our  soldier  life.  Situated  as  it  is 
in  the  valley  of  the  Tennessee,  where  climate  and 
soil  combine  to  render  it  rich  and  fertile.  Its  cit 
izens  were  high-toned,  intelligent  and  aristocratic. 
}\e«lth  ami  <as<  seemed  to  mark  every  homestead 
with  an  «'T  of  comfort  and  satisfaction  that  almost 
made  one  begrudge  its  occupant  his  happiness. 
Wonderful  springs  of  almost  ice  cold  water,  clear 
as  crystal,  were  found  at  nearly  every  farm  house, 
while  the  lime,  orange  and  tig  trees,  loaded  with 
their  beautiful  fruits,  graced  their  yards.  Oh! 
how  I  longed  to  remain  in  this  favored  region. 
More  than  one  of  the  old  Sixth  promised  himself 
that  if  he  was  spared  to  get  through  the  war  alive 
and  well,  he  would  return  and  make  his  future 
home  for  life  at  Hnntsville. 

l>ut  these  fancied  ideas  of  comfort  and  ease 
were  of  short  duration  for  the  Sixth's  boys,  tor 
we  soon  got  orders  to  strike  tents  and  get  ready 
to  march,  and  again  we  are  oft',  up  the  river  to 
ward  Stevenson.  At  this  point  we  strike  the 
Nashville  &  Chattanooga  Hv.,  which  General  Buell 

~  */      7 

was  having  repaired,  as  it  must  be  by  this  road  he 
would  get  the  supplies  for  his  immense  army. 

The  Sixth  Regiment  was  stationed  along  the 
railroad  up  Crow  Creek  Valley  to  guard  th«> 


BUILDING   OF   STOCKADES.  143 

bridges.  Crow  Creek  is  the  natural  drainage  for 
the  rough  mountainous  region  lying  in  the  north 
east  corner  of  Alabama,  and  empties  into  the 
Tennessee  near  Stevenson.  The  Nashville  & 
Chattanooga  Hy.,  running  worth  from  Stevenson, 
to  avoid  the  mountains  follows  the  course  of  this 
creek,  crossing  it  many  times.  This  necessitates 
the  construction  of  many  small  bridges.  A  com 
pany  was  stationed  at  each  bridge,  where  stock 
ades  were  built  for  their  protection  in  ease  of 
attack.  A  soldier,  of  course,  knows  what  a 
stockade  is,  and  how  it  is  built.  But  for  the 
benefit  of  others,  I  will  say  that  a  stockade  is 
built  of  large  squared  timbers  set  in  the  ground 
like  posts,  only  close  together,  and  high  enough 
above  ground  to  prevent  men  from  climbing  over 
the  top  so  as  to  get  in  from  the  outside.  They 
can  be  built  in  the  form  of  a  triangle  or  square, 
but  always  large  enough  to  allow  the  whole  com 
pany  to  go  inside  of  them.  The  door  is  only  large 
enough  for  a  man  to  walk  in  and  provided  with  a 
suitable  fastening.  Port-holes  are  cut  through 
these  timbers,  say  the  height  of  a  man  when 
standing.  The  port-holes  are  about  two  feet  long, 
up  and  down,  and  flaring  outward.  This  gives 
the  men  inside  a  chance  to  see  the  attacking  party 
at  a  wide  range,  and  tluough  these  port-holes  they 
fire  upon  the  enemy.  When  the  guarding  parts- 
is  attacked  by  the  enemy  in  superior  numbers, 
they  retreat  inside  of  their  stockade  where  they 


144  HISTORY  OF  mi:  SIXTH   HFJ.IMKNT. 

cnn    defend  themselves  against   mauv  times  their 


It  was  an  occasion  of  tins  kind  when  some  of 
Sherman's  men  had  heen  attacked  hy  a  verv  su 
perior  force  of  the  enemy,  and  had  taken  shelter 
inside  their  fort.  Sherman,  though  many  miles 
away,  heard  the  firing,  and  signaled  to  the  officer 
in  command  of  the  little  hand  of  heroes  those  im 
mortal  words  which  have  heen  perpetuated  in 
song,  and  will  he  sung  hy  generations  yet  unhorn, 
"  Hold  the  fort  for  I  am  coming!"  lie  did  y^o, 
and  in  time  for  their  relief. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

OUR  STAY  AT  CROW  CREEK. 

Bragg  crosses  the  Tennessee  River  for  Kentucky — The  race  for 
Louisville — Bragg  gets  out  of  the  way  rather  than  be  run  over 
—  Buell  arrives  at  Louisville,  Sept.  25 — We  march  over  300 
miles  in  20  days — Less  than  200  answt-r  to  roll  call  when  we 
reach  Louisville — The  boys  take  a  fence  furlough  and  go  home 
— Buell  again  goes  for  Bragg  at  Bardstown — Bull's  armv  re 
organized —  Col.  Buckley  our  Brigade  Commander — We  move 
by  way  of  Frankfort — Bragg  forced  to  fight  at  Prrryville — 
Buell  and  Bragg  both  make  the  same  mistake—  Bragg  whipped 
and  leaves  Kentucky  in  disgust. 

The  Sixth  Regiment  was  stationed  at  Crow 
Creek  about  the  10th  of  July,  and  remained  here 
until  about  the  27th  of  August.  JJuring  those 
two  long  summer  mouths  the  boys  did  but  little 
aside  from  picket  duty,  and  a  little  foraging  on 
their  own  hook.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  very  few 
chickens  were  left  in  that  part  of  the  country. 
But  generally  the  boys  bought  and  paid  for  all 
they  got.  There  were  quite  a  number  of  small 
farmers  in  the  neighborhood,  and  from  these  we 
could  get  butter  and  eggs,  chickens  and  honey, 
and  garden  vegetables  of  all  kinds,  besides  fruits 
of  various  kinds,  especially  peaches,  which  were 
very  fine.  And  there  was  scarcely  a  young  lady 
in  Crow  Creek  Valley  that  did  not  have  a  beau. 
10 


14(>  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH     KKMMKNT. 

for  two  months  at  least.  In  fact,  I  douht  if  there 
was  a  family  in  or  near  Crow  Creek  Valley  that 
did  not  make  the  acquaintance  of  the  Yankee  sol 
diers  during  the  summer  of  18(12. 

Nothing  occurred  in  which  tlie  Sixth,  as  a  regi- 
Tiient,  was  engaged  that  was  worthy  of  note.  Our 
daily  occupation  was  to  watch  and  wait.  \Vait 
the  development  of  Brad's  plans,  which  were 
after  all  only  those  of  his  predecessor,  General 
Johnson,  who  was  killed  at  Shiloh.  Johnson's  plan 
for  the  summer  campaign  was  first,  to  defeat 
Grant's  army  before  Buell  could  render  him  any 
assistance  at  Shiloh.  Then,  of  course,  Buell 
would  he  too  weak  to  offer  any  resistance  that 
would  retard  his  return  to  Kentucky,  where  he 
intended  to  go,  gathering  strength  as  he  went. 
He  then  intended  to  seige  Louisville,  then  Cincin 
nati,  and  from  here  carry  the  war  into  the  \orth. 
The  northern  sympathi/crs  had  promised  the  rehel 
leaders  that  if  those  two  cities  could  only  fall  into 
their  possession,  then  their  friends  in  the  North 
would  rally  to  their  assistance  and  swell  the  rehel 
army  to  immense  proportions,  so  that  it  would 
simply  he  irresistible.  They  could  then  have 
things  their  own  way  and  go  where  they  pleased. 
This  was  a  magnificent  plan — on  paper — hut  at 
the  close  of  the  Shiloh  fight,  the  plan,  like  John 
son  himself,  simply  "hit  the  dust."  But  Bragg 
had  heen  appointed  to  the  vacancy  caused  hy  the 
death  of  General  Johnson,  and  on  the  15thof  June 
had  assumed  command  of  the  Armv  of  the  West, 


THE    RACE    FOR    LOl'lSVTLLK.  147 

which  was  Johnson's  army.  lit*  at  once  sot  him 
self  to  work  to  modify  Johnson's  plans  and  to 
carry  them  out.  With  this  view  he  put  his  col 
umns  in  motion  eastward  to  occupy  Chattanooga. 

Johnson  on  the  retreat  from  Nashville  sent  all 
surplus  army  stores  to  Chattanooga,  and  Bragg 
now  regarded  that  point  as  the  proper  place  to 
"  refit"  his  command,  and  from  which  to  assume 
the  offensive  and  open  the  campaign,  in  which  he 
expected  to  immortalize  his  name  and  reap  such  a 
rich  harvest  of  glory  and  renown. 

Bragg  had  so  well  concealed  his  intentions  as  to 
his  advance  that  General  Buell  was  compelled  to 
hold  himself  in  readiness  to  meet  any  emergency, 
and  it  was  not  until  the  ±2(\  of  August  that  Buell 
.learned  that  Bragg's  whole  army  was  north  of  the 
Tennessee  River,  and  on  the  -)0th  of  August  Buell 
gave  orders  concentrating  his  army  at  Murfrees- 
horo.  Buell  was  satisfied  that  Bragg's  intentions 
were  to  strike  for  Kentucky,  hut  was  in  douht  as 
to  what  route  he  would  take  on  up  to  the  *11\\\  of 
August,  when  General  Thomas  captured  a  dispatch 
which  revealed  Bragg's  whole  plans,  hut  the  infor 
mation  came  so  late  that  Bragg  had  ^ot  decidedly 
the  start  of  us.  But  BuoH's  whole  army  was  at 
once  put  in  motion,  on  quick  time,  and  now  comes 
the  race  for  Louisville.  BucM's  orders  to  concen 
trate  the  army  at  Murfreeshoro  of  course  hursted 
up  our  camps  on  Crow  ("reek,  and  the  Sixth  Regi 
ment  joined  in  the  chase  to  Louisville.  Our  line 
of  march  was  aloni>'  the  Nashville  A:  Chattanooga 


148  HISTORY    OF    THK    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

Railroad,  until  we  reached  Mashville,  and  then  we 
followed  the  Louisville  &  Nashville  Railroad.  Thi> 
march  was  made  in  September,  and  it  was  hot  and 
dry  and  very  dusty,  and  was  a  forced  march  from 
the  beginning.  The  army  reached  Nashville  on 
the  6th  of  September,  at  which  time  and  place  it 
mustered  only  24,000  effective  men.  This,  how 
ever,  did  not  include  his  entire  army.  Bragg  swung 
his  army  into  Munfordsville,  which  was  exactly  in 
our  line  of  march,  and  captured  the  entire  com 
mand,  consisting  of  Col.  Wilder.  Col.  Dunham  and 
4,000  men,  with  4,000  stand  of  small  arms,  a  large 
amount  of  army  stores,  etc.  This  was  on  the  17th, 
and  General  Buell  did  not  get  up  until  the  21st. 
But  on  Bu ell's  approach  Bragg  swung  off' east  and 
continued  his  march  to  Louisville.  But  Buell 
pushed  on  and  succeeded  in  forcing  his  army  be 
tween  Louisville  and  the  rebel  army,  compelling 
them  to  fall  back,  while  BuelTs  army  rounded  up 
at  Louisville  on  the  25th  day  of  September.  The 
Sixth  Regiment  moved  with  the  bulk  of  the  army, 
and  along  its  main  line  of  march,  and  when  the 
army  went  into  camp  at  Louisville,  on  the  2;~>th. 
the  old  Srixt.li  was  at  her  place,  in  line  and  ready 
for  duty,  although  <juite  a  number  of  the  boys  fell 
by  the  wayside.  I  have  no  means  of  getting  at 
the  facts  in  the  case,  but  my  opinion  is  that  not 
over  200  of  the  old  Sixth  answered  to  roll-call 
when  they  went  into  camp  that  evening. 

To  those  who  may  be  curious  to  know  why  there 
were  not  more  of  the  regiment   up  and   ready  for 


OVERCOME    BY    HEAT,    DUST    AND    THIRST.  149 

roll-call  when  it  arrived  at  Louisville,  I  would  ask 
them  to  please  remember  that  men,  like  horses  that 
have  been  running  idle  in  pasture  all  summer,  are 
not  tit  to  put  in  the  harness  for  hard  work  every 
day;  they  should  be  worked  moderately  until  they 
become  seasoned  or  used  to  it.  But  we  were  put 
on  a  forced  march  from  the  day  we  broke  camp, 
and  rushed  through  a  distance  of  over  three  hun 
dred  miles  in  about  twenty  days.  Kemember  that 
it  was  very  hot,  dry  and  dusty,  and  that  every  man 
carried  a  load  of  fifty  or  sixty  pounds.  What  kind 
of  a  man  must  he  be  to  be  able  to  endure  such 
hardships  for  so  long  a  time,  and  still  be  able  to 
answer  to  his  name  for  duty  on  the  last  day  in  the 
evening?  What  kind  of  a  man  must  he  be,  who 
would  express  surprise  under  such  circumstances, 
that  there  was  not  more  men  able  to  report  for 
duty?  The  wonder  is  that  even  more  dkl  not  fall 
by  the  wayside.  Such  physical  endurance  and 
fortitude  deserves  the  highest  praise,  and  yet  no 
more  so  than  the  poor  fellow  who  stood  up  under 
his  duty  until  overcome  by  heat  and  dust  and  thirst 
and  fatigue,  and  is  finally  crushed  to  the  earth  and 
crawls  to  one  side  out  of  the  way  of  the  rushing 
army,  and  is  left  to  his  fate,  to  survive  or  perish, 
according  to  the  measure  of  his  physical  endurance. 
When  we  started  on  this  march  I  supposed  myself- 
as  well  able  to  make  the  trip  as  the  average  man 
of  our  company,  but  after  measuring  oft' about  two 
hundred  miles  of  dust  and  heat,  I  broke  down,  and 
was  left  at  Bowling  Green  a  sick  man.  But  my 


150  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH     RKOIMKNT. 

experience  is  that  the  service  does  not  suffer  much 
on  account  of  the  temporary  absence  of  men  under 
such  circumstances,  as  they  are  all  put  on  duty  of 
some  kino!  wherever  they  are,  that  is  all  who  are 
able  for  duty,  while  the  sick  are  cared  for  hv  bciiii* 
placed  in  hospitals  a  few  days,  and  all  are  sent  on 
to  their  regiments  the  first  opportunity  after  they 
are  able  for  duty.  Buell  arrived  at  Louisville  on 
the  m2M\  of  September,  and  left  there  in  his  pursuit 
of  Bragg  on  the  first  day  of  October,  making  his 
stay  at  Louisville  only  five  or  six  days,  and  in  this 
short  period  nearly  all  the  absentees  reported  for 
duty. 

While  the  regiment   laid  at    Louisville  a   few  ot 

O 

the  boys  took  the  liberty  to  call  on  friends  and 
family,  but  it  was  on  French  furlough,  and  a  very 
short  one  at  that.  For  my  part  I  was  fortunate. 
When  I  was  able  to  come  on  up  I  did  so,  and  when 
1  arrived  at  Louisville  1  received  an  order  detailing 
me  as  a  recruiting  officer.  This  allowed  me  to  go 
home  and  saved  me  the  trouble  of  taking  a  "  French 
furlough." 

The  main  force  of  the  rebel  army  in  Kentucky 
at  this  time,  which  was  about  forty  thousand,  was 
under  Bragg,  and  camped  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Bard 8 town,  forty  miles  south  of  Louisville.  Ivirby 
Smith,  with  fifteen  thousand,  was  between  Frank 
fort  and  Lexington.  Humphrey  Marshall,  with 
four  thousand,  was  at  (ileorgetown.  In  Central 
Kentucky  two  bodies  of  guerrillas,  under  Morgan 
and  Scott,  were  collecting  food  and  munitions. 


liUELL    IN    I'URSUIT    OF    THE    REHKLS.  151 

new  recruits  collected  for  the  rebel  army  while 
in  Kentucky,  were  well  armed  with  the  guns  cap 
tured  from  our  troops  at  Richmond  and  Munfords- 
ville,  but  neither  drilled  nor  disciplined.  But,  all 
told,  the  aggregate  effective  strength  of  the  enemy 
was  hardly  sixty  thousand.  This,  however,  when 
united,  would  form  a  formidable  force. 

On  the  first  day  of  October  Buell  commenced 
his  pursuit  of  the  rebels.  The  army  moved  by 
four  different  roads.  Hut  before  we  proceed 
further  it  may  be  well  enough  to  give  the  status  of 
Buell's  army  at  this  time.  General  Buell  himself 
was  eominaiider-in-chief ,  while  General  Thomas 
was  second  in  command.  The  army  was  divided 
into  three  corps — the  First  Corps,  constituting  the 
right  wing,  was  commanded  by  Major-General 
McCook.  The  Second  Corps,  forming  the  left 
wing,  was  commanded  by  Major-General  Thomas 
L.  Crittenden.  The  Third  Corps,  forming  the 
center,  was  commanded  by  Major-Genera]  C.  C. 
Gilbert.  It  is  not  necessary  in  a  work  like  this  to 
give  the  integral  parts  of  the  different  corps,  but 
in  order  to  locate  the  position  of  the  Sixth  Regi 
ment,  which  is  a  part  of  McCook's  Corps,  I  will 
say  that  it  formed  a  part  of  the  Second  Division, 
commanded  by  Brigadier- General  Sill,  forming  the 
Fourth  Brigade  of  his  Division,  while  the  brigade 
was  commanded  by  Colonel  Buckley,  of  the  Fifth 
Kentucky.  The  Fourth  Brigade  was  composed  of 
the  Sixth  Indiana,  Fifth  Kentucky,  First  Ohio, 


152  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

Ninety-third  Ohio,  Sixteenth  and  Nineteenth  U.  8. 
Infantry. 

So  the  Sixth  Regiment  finds  herself  a  part  at 
the  Fourth  Brigade:  Second  Division  of  the  First 
Army  Corps,  commanded  by  Major-General  Mo- 
Cook,  and  forming  the  right  wing  in  the  battle  of 
Perryville,  Ivy.  The  record  bears  out  the  state 
ment  that  General  Bnell  entered  upon  this  cam 
paign  with  an  infantry  and  cavalry  force  at  least 
one-third  stronger  than  that  of  the  enemy,  and 
with  double  his  strength  in  artillery. 

When  we  moved  from  Louisville,  our  division, 
under  command  of  General  Sill,  took  tlic  direct 
road  from  Louisville  to  Frankfort,  /•/'//  Shelbyville. 
The  duty  assigned  to  MeCook's  Corps  was  to  pre 
vent  junction  of  Kirhy  Smith  and  Humphrey 
Marshall's  forces  with  Bragg's  main  army,  and 
while  the  division  under  General  Sill  had  the  long 
est  route,  it  moved  the  quickest,  and  reached 
Frankfort  on  the  4th,  on  which  day  the  balance  of 
McCook's  Corps  was  at  Taylorsville.  On  the 
evening  of  the  same  day  the  Confederate  generals 
were  all  at  Frankfort  attending  the  inauguration 
of  the  Governor.  On  the  evening  of  the  same 
day  Kirhy  Smith  commenced  to  evacuate  Frank 
fort,  moving  rift  of  Versailles  on  Harrodsburg.  It 
was  supposed  that  Bragg  would  give  battle  at 
Bardstown,  but  instead  he  evacuated  that  place  on 
the  4th,  moving  through  Springfield  to  Perryville, 
and  effected  a  junction  of  all  his  forces  on  the  6th, 
and  while  Harrodsburg  was  the  point  upon  which 


BRAGG    FORCED    TO    FIGHT    AT    PERRY VILLE.  153 

McCook  was  to  rally  all  his  army,  it  was  now  in 
possession  of  the  enemy  in  force.  Thus  it  will  he 
seen  that  we  had  not  only  failed  to  force  Brag^ 
into  a  light  at  Bardstown,  but  had  as  signally 
failed  to  prevent  the  consolidation  of  his  forces. 

The  other  two  corps  of  Buell's  army,  under  Gil 
bert  and  Crittenden,  under  the  supposition  that 
Bragg-  would  give  us  a  battle  at  Bardstown,  were 
heading  in  that  direction  when  Bragg  evacuated 
the  place.  But  when  this  was  discovered  they 
pushed  on  toward  Perryville,  after  the  retreating 
rebels,  concentrating  on  IFarrodsburg.  Bragg, 
under  the  impression  that  only  one  corps  of  the 
Union  army  was  moving  toward  Perryville,  or 
dered  Polk  to  send  sufficient  force  back  to  Perry 
ville  to  crush  and  put  it  to  rout,'and  then  to  hurry 
hack  to  the  assistance  of  Kirby  Smith,  whom  he 
supposed  was  confronting  the  main  part  of  the 
Union  army  then  at  Frankfort.  This  brought 
about  the  strange  state  of  affairs  of  one  rebel 
corps  being  sent  to  Perryville  to  confront  two 
corps  of  the  Union  army,  while  two  other  corps  ot 
the  rebel  army  were  held  near  Harrodsburg  to 
confront  one  corps  of  the  Union  army.  Bragg,  in 
sending  troops  to  Perryville,  led  Buell  to  believe 
that  he  intended  to  concentrate  his  army  at  that 
point  to  give  battle.  Consequently  Buell  ordered 
McCook  to  change  his  line  of  inarch  to  the  right 
toward  Perryville.  This  was  done  on  the  7th, 
and  forced  Bragg  to  re-enforce  the  troops  sent  to 
Perryville.  And  thus  a  fight  was  forced  on  Bragg, 


154  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIX Til    RECilMKXT. 

although  lie  did  everything  in  his  power  to  pre 
vent  a  uvneral  engagement.  Of  course,  where  he 
could  jump  on  a  small  detached  portion  of  the 
Union  army,  and  force  a  surrender  without  a 
tight,  like  lie  did  at  Muufordsville,  and  as  lie 
thought  lie  could  do  here  at  IVrryville,  he  was 
not  slow  to  improve  the  chance.  But  the  tight 
at  JVrryville  was  a  surprise  to  him,  and  had  our 
troops  been  properly  handled  the  whole  rebel 
army  could  have  been  crushed  or  completely  scat 
tered  and  destroyed. 

As  soon  as  Bra*™*  discovered  that  he  was  eon- 
con  ten  ding  against  Budl's  whole  army,  he  refused 
to  tight  and  struck  a  quick  retreat :  and  right  here 
again  General  Buell  made  the  great  mistake  of  his 
life.  Had  he  pressed  his  advantages,  even  after 
the-  battle  of  IVrryville  was  over,  he  again  had  the 
power  to  have  entirely  destroyed  Bragg's  army. 
It  is  claimed  that  it  required  a  train  forty  miles 
long  to  carry  the  supplies  Bragg  captured  while 
on  this  Kentucky  raid.  All  this  might  have  been 
saved  to  the  Government,  besides  thousands  of 
head  of  mules,  cattle  and  hogs. 

But  let  us  return  to  the  old  Sixth,  nnd  see  what 
she  is  doing.  Fortunately  our  regiment  escaped 
a  close  engagement  at  IVrryville.  The'  reader  will 
remember  that  General  SilTs  Division  on  the  4th 
of  October  went  into  Frankfort  on  one  side  when 
Kirbv  Smith  was  going  out  on  the  other.  Smith, 
while  lie  intended  to  tfo  to  I  larrodsbur.  went  by 


GENERAL    SILL    ORDERED    TO    MOVE    AT    ONCE.         155 

\vsiy  Versailles  in  order  to  make  sure  of  the  im 
mense  amount  of  supplies  he  had  captured.  At 
Versailles  he  ordered  his  supply  trains  on  east  and 
immediately  crossed  his  army  over  the  Kentucky 
River  and  struck  the  pike  running1  from  Frankfort 
to  LawFeneeburg,  near  Salvisa,  and  from  here 
moved  south  through  Lawrenceburg  on  to  Ilar- 
rodsburg.  Our  division  moved  on  after  Kirbv 
Smith,  taking  the  pike  toward  Lawrenceburg  in 
stead  of  Versailles. 

When  we  reached  Lawreuceburg,  General  Sill 
received  orders  to  move  at  once  to  IVrrvville  and 
join  the1  balance  of  the  corps.  Consequently  we 
left  the  pike  at  Lawrenceburg  and  turned  west 
toward  Perry  ville.  On  the  march,  and  while  near 
a  place  called  "  Rough  and  Ready/'  our  division 
was  attacked  by  a  part  of  Kirby  Smith's  forces, 
which  were  repulsed  in  good  style,  and  the  march 
continued  and  we  arrived  in  Terry ville  on  the  llth. 

Bragg  bad  been  urged  by  leading  Iventuckians 
in  his  command,  and  others,  to  undertake  the 
campaign  in  Kentucky,  with  the  promise  of  im 
mense  numbers  of  recruits  and  large  quantities  of 
supplies.  He  anticipated  that  his  crossing  would 
be  hailed  as  that  of  a  deliverer,  and  that  the  young 
men  of  the  State  would  Hock  to  his  banners  and 
till  ii})  his  army,  so  that  he  could  attack  Buell  at 
any  point.  Bragg's  entire  command  in  Kentucky 
was  estimated  at  thirty-five  to  forty  thousand. 
He  anticipated  enlisting  twenty  thousand  recruits, 
and  took  arms  to  Kentucky  for  that  number  of 


15H  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

new  troops.  IJuells  command,  with  his  losses  and 
the  garrison  at  Nashville,  was  less  than  this,  hut  at 
Louisville  lie  received  some  twenty  thousand  new 
troops.  The  number  of  infantry  recruits  for 
Bragg  s  army  was  very  small,  for  in  his  report 
made  at  Bryantsville,  when  he  was  preparing  to 
leave  the  State,  he  utters  this  howl  of  despair: 
"With  ample  means  to  arm  twenty  thousand  men, 
and  a  force  with  that  to  fully  redeem  the  State, 
we  have  not  yet  issued  half  the  arms  left  us  by 
casualties  incident  to  the  campaign.'' 

It  is  true  that  Bragg  added  a  few  new  recruits 
to  his  army  <>n  his  raid  through  Kentucky,  hut  it 
is  just  as  true  that  a  large  number  of  men  belong 
ing  to  Kentucky  regiments  deserted  his  army 
when  they  learned  that  he  was  leaving  the  State. 
Thev  returned  to  their  State  as  they  thought  to 
tight  for  their  homes,  and  were  ready  and  willing 
to  do  it.  But  when  they  saw  that  Bragg  refused 
to  tight  only  when  he  was  cornered,  and  his  object 
seemed  to  he  only  plunder  and  pillage,  they  needed 
no  one  to  tell  them,  when  they  saw  the  whole 
rehel  armv  headed  for  Cumberland  (ilap,  that  it 
meant,  so  tar  as  Kentucky  was  concerned,  "Fare 
well  to  my  old  Kentucky  home,  and  under  these 
circumstances  thousands  of  the  rank  and  tile  of 
his  army  hid  him  farewell  and  returned  to  their 
homes,  never  to  be  known  again  as  rehel  soldiers. 

Efuell  did  not  leave  Perryville  until  the  12th  of 
October,  four  days  after  the  battle.  This  gave 


BRAGG    ESCAPES    THROUGH  CUMBERLAND    GAP.        157 

Bragg  time  to  concentrate  all  his  army  at  Har- 
rodsburg.  Bragg  himself  went  to  Harrodsburg 
on  the  9th,  taking  with  him  the  troops  lie  had  at 
the  .Perry ville  tight.  The  distance  from  Perry ville 
to  Harrodsburg  is  only  ten  miles.  Kirby  Smith, 
who  had  gone  to  look  after  General  Sill,  arrived 
at  Harrodsbnrg  on  the  10th,  and  on  the  llth  the 
whole  rebel  army,  with  its  immense  supplies, 
moved  on  toward  Bryantsburg  and  Cumberland 
Gap,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  12th  Bnell  got  into 
Harrodsbnrg  just  in  time  to  capture  the  sick  and 
wounded  of  the  rebel  army.  However,  the  pursuit 
was  kept  up  and  the  rebel  army  pressed  as  closely 
as  it  was  thought  prudent  by  General  Buell ;  but 
Bragg  had  got  the  start  of  him,  and  by  burning 
the  bridges  in  his  rear,  kept  Buell  in  his  rear  until 
he  finally  made  his  escape  through  Cumberland 
Gap,  and  out  of  the  State. 

McCook's  Corps  was  halted  at  Crab  Orchard, 
and  the  pursuit,  so  far  as  our  corps  was  concerned, 
was  at  an  end.  We  reached  Crab  Orchard  on  the 
15th,  and  went  into  camp,  to  our  great  relief  and 
satisfaction.  We  lay  here  about  ten  days,  during 
which  time  we  got  rested  and  trimmed  up  and 
was  again  ready  for  the  fray. 


CIIAITKU  X. 

GENERAL  BUELL  REMOVED. 

General  Rosecrans  takes  command-  The  Army  of  the  Cumberland 

—  Halleck's  order  not  obeyed  — Roaecrans  starts  for  Nashville 

—  We  march  700  miles  in  54  days     The  soldier's  life  not  all 
.sunshine — Each  Company   has  its   funny  man — Pretty  g  rls 
smile  on  us  as  we  pass — Our  Regiment  misses  the  Perry ville 
battle — Kirby  Smith  attacks  us  at  Rough-and  Ready — We  go 
for  him  and  he  retreats — Our  pursuit  stopped   and  we  go  to 
Bowling  Green — The  whole   army  moves  to   Nashville — We 
make  72  miles  in  three  days — We  go  into  camp  at  Nashville, 
Nov.  9 — Capt.  Brown,  Co.  K,  goes  foraging — His  experience 
with  a  goat — Our  Captain  invites  the  Colonel  to  see  him  drill 
the  Company. 

General  Bnell  left  us  here  and  went  to  Louisville, 
placing  the  army,  for  the  time  beini>%,  under  the 
command  of  (Jem-nil  Thomas.  General  Buell,  he- 
lieviiiii1  that  Brai*1"'  intended  to  strike  for  Nashville, 
and  if  possible  crush  the  garrison  at  that  place  he- 
fore  it  could  he  reinforced,  on  the  *Jt>th  of  October 
ordered  General  Thomas  to  at  once  put  the  army 
in  motion  for  Bowling  (Jreen  and  Glasgow,  prepar 
atory  to  a  movement  to  Nashville.  McCook's Corps 
moved  by  way  of  Stanford,  Lebanon,  Soniervill* 
and  Cave  City,  and  struck  the  Louisville  A:  Nash 
ville  Railroad  at  Howling  (Jreen,  about  the  last 
day  of  October,  where  we  received  a  fresh  supply 
of  rations,  clothing,  etc. 


HALLECKS  ORDKK  NOT  OBEYED.  I'M 

It  was  about  this  time  that  General  Buell's  offi 
cial  head  fell  into  llalleck's  waste  basket,  and 
Major-Genera]  W.  8.  Rosecrans  was  placed  in  com- 
mand.  The  Army  of  the  Ohio  was  also  changed 
to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  It  was  very  un 
fortunate  for  the  country  that  General  Halleck  was 
ever  made  Secretary  of  War,  just  at  this  particular 
time  at  least,  as  he  was  totally  unlit  for  the  posi 
tion  only  in  times  of  profound  peace.  His  actions 
at  Pittsburg  Landing,  or  Sbiloh,  proved  him  wholly^ 
unlit  to  command  an  army  in  the  field,  and  in  fact 
totally  void  of  that  military  genius  necessary' "anM 
so  essential  in  the  make-up  of  a  military  hero.  lie 
was  nowhere  near  the  equal  of  Grant,  Sherman  and 
Thomas,  and  indeed,  Buell  was,  in  my  opinion,  his 
superior  in  every  respect.  lie  tirst  surest ed  and 
then  peremptorily  ordered  Buell  to  press  on  aftjfrV  I 
Bragg  and  follow  him  up  through  Cumberland* 
Gap,  and  to  move  on  up  into  East  Tennessee,  mak 
ing  his  headquarters  and  base  for  supplies  at  Ivnox- 
ville,  leaving  Xashville  and  the  small  garrison  in 
charge  of  it,  wholly  at  the  mercy  of  Bragg.  With 
Buell  up  in  East  Tennessee,  two  hundred  and  forty 
miles  away,  Bragg  had  only  to  move  onto  Xash 
ville  and  it  and  all  it  contained  would  have  been 
his.  This  would  have  given  him  entire  control  of 
the  Louisville  &  Xashville  Railroad,  and  would 
have  virtually  placed  him  in  possession  of  all  ol 
Tennessee  worth  contending  for,  while  Louisville, 
and  in  fact  the  Avhole  of  Kentucky,  would  have 
been  an  easy  prey.  For  refusing  to  obey  this 


160  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

order  General  Buell  lost  his  head,  and  General 
Rosecrans  was  placed  in  command  of  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland.  This  change  occurred  October 
30,  in  compliance  with  General  Order  No.  168,  War 
Department,  dated  October  24,  1862.  This  order 
gave  General  Rosecrans  the  command  of  the  "  De 
partment  of  the  Cumberland,"  which  embraced 
that  portion  of  Tennessee  lying  east  of  the  Tennes 
see  River,  with  a  prospective  enlargement  from 
such  portions  of  Alabama  and  Georgia  as  his  army 
might  gain. 

By  the  same  order  the  troops  of  the  department 
were  designated  as  the  "  Fourteenth  Army  Corps." 
In  a  day  or  two  after  Rosecrans  assumed  com 
mand,  the  concentration  order  by  his  predecessor 
was  effected.  Our  corps  was  now  at  Bowling 
Green,  also  General  Gilbert's,  while  Crittenden's 
was  at  Glasgow.  Ilalleck  still  had  East  Tennessee 
on  the  brain,  and  as  soon  as  Rosecrans  took  com 
mand,  ordered  him  to  prepare  his  army  at  once 
for  the  campaign,  and  proceed  immediately  into 
East  Tennessee.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  that  the 
order  was  treated  as  the  'nlea  of  a  crank  by  Rose 
crans,  just  as  it  had  been  by  General  Buell,  and  not 
executed  by  either  one  of  them,  but  instead,  prepa 
rations  were  at  once  made  to  carry  out  the  plans 
of  General  Buell,  by  moving  the  army  to  Nash 
ville.  The  veteran  portion  of  the  army  needed 
rest  and  re-equipment,  and  the  new  regiments 
needed  discipline,  but  the  activity  of  the  enemy 


ROsKc  HANS  STARTS  FOR  NASHVILLE.  Kll 

ave  no  time  for  the  recuperation  of  the  one  por 
tion,  or  the  training  of  the  other.  The  purposes 
of  General  Bragg  were  not  at  onee  revealed,  hut 
the  conjectured  advance  of  his  army  toward  Nash 
ville  was  almost  immediately  indicated  with  cer 
tainty  hy  the  appearance  of  his  forces  at  Murfrees- 
horo.  As,  therefore,  Nashville  was  in  danger  from 
the  advance  of  the  army  withdrawn  from  Ken 
tucky,  conjoined  with  Breckenridge's  force,  there 
was  reason  to  fear  that  General  Negley  would  he 
compelled  to  surrender  unless  speedily  reinforced. 
To  prevent  this,  General  Rosecrans  ordered  an  ad 
vance  to  that  city  on  the  4th  of  November.  Gen 
eral  McCook  then  moved  from  Bowling  Green 
through  Franklin, Mitchellsville  and  Tyree  Springs, 
and  reached  Nashville  on  the  morning  of  the  9th, 
making  a  march  of  seventy-two  miles  in  ahoiit 
three  days. 

But,  my  dear  old  comrades  of  the  Sixth,  1  fear 
yon  will  conclude  that  I  have  lost  sight  of  our  dear 
old  regiment,  and  now  let  us  halt  here  at  Nash 
ville  for  a  moment  and  see  where  we  have  heen, 
and  what  we  have  heen  doing  since  we  left  this 
same  place  just  fifty-four  days  ago.  During  this 
short  period  we  have1  marched  nearly  seven  hun 
dred  miles,  and  that,  too,  in  the  hottest  and  driest 
season  of  the  year.  We  have  heen  compelled  to 
go  for  days  and  days  without  changing  our  cloth 
ing,  and  many  times  not  even  afforded  an  oppor 
tunity  of  removing  the  hot,  dirty  and  sweaty 
clothing  when  we  stretched  ourselves  upon  the 
11 


H>'J  IM-TOIIY  or  THE  SIXTH   I:I;<,LMKNT. 

steaming  hot  ground,  for  sleep  and  rest,  at  night. 
We  have  traveled  for  miles,  and  miles,  with  the 
scorching  hot  sun  beaming  down  upon  us.  with 
the  dust  so  thick  we  could  scarcely  breathe,  and 
been  compelled  to  drink  the  lukewarm  water  from 
our  canteens,  when  our  throats  were  already 
scorched  with  heat  and  thirst.  We  have  feasted 
many  times  on  the  dirty,  dust-covered  crackers 
and  salt  bacon,  carried  in  our  haversacks  perhaps 
for  forty-eight  hours.  During  this  fifty-four  davs 
our  beds  have  been  spread  in  the  open  air,  while 
on  very  many  occasions  this  same  bed  consisted 
of  the  blessed  bare  ground,  with  the  blue  sky  for 
a  covering.  This  was  not  only  a  very  cheap  bed, 
but  a  very  convenient  one,  for  no  matter  where  we 
stopped,  we  always  had  plenty  of  the  same  ma 
terial  to  make  a  new  bed,  and  it  saved  us  the 
trouble  of  carrying  our  beds  with  us,  and  then, 
you  know,  boys,  it's  not  good  for  one's  health  to 
change  beds  very  often.  You  remember  all  those 
boys  who  took  a  fence  furlough  at  Louisville  came 
near  dying  with  bad  colds  when  they  returned  to 
the  regiment,  simply  because  they  were  foolish 
enough  to  sleep  on  a  feather  bed  the  night  tin  v 
were  gone. 

While  the  soldier's  life  is  not  all  sunshine,  it  is 
far  from  being  all  clouds  and  storms.  Nearly 
every  company  had  its  funny  man,  who  was  con 
tinually  getting  off  some  joke,  or  making  some 
odd  expression,  to  make  the  boys  laugh.  This 
does  a  great  deal  toward  driving  awav  the  him-. 


I'KKTTY    (JIKLS    SMIU;    ON    I'S    AS    \VK    PASS.  163 

or  helping  to  while  away  the  time1,  and  then  the 
bovs  will  get  a  "  rig"  on  some  fellow  in  the  com 
pany,  and  tliey  seem  to  take1  especial  delight  in 
whacking-  him  over  it  until  something  else  is 
sprung  on  some  other  fellow,  and  so  it  goes  from 
day  to  day,  and  so  the  time  is  whiled  away. 

Our  march  from  Louisville  to  Frankfort  took  us 
through  a  lovely  country.  It  was  worth  a  half  a 
day's  journey  to  see  the  bright,  beautiful  faces  by 
the  wayside,  as  they  watched  the  Yankees  go  by. 
The  smiles  of  the  hoys  were1  not  always  made  in 
vain.  Neither  were  the  kisses  thrown  at  some 
pleasant  face  always  lost,  as  they  were  nearly 
always  caught  and  returned  with  a  grace  and 
smile  that  made  the  sender  feel  good  all  over. 

The  beautiful  scenery  along  the  splendid  pike 
from  Frankfort  to  Lawrenceburg  is  hard  to  beat 
in  anv  country.  The  boys  of  the  regiment  were 
feeling  pretty  good  on  this  march,  as  we  had  had 
some  rest,  and  had  generally  changed  clothing. 
We  had  also  been  having  square  meals  for  several 
days.  "We  got  along  nicely  over  this  part  of  our 
route  until  we  heard  the  guns  over  at  Perryvillc. 
This  made  me  feel  a  little  bad,  hut  still  all  went 
well  until  Ivirby  Smith  made  a  dash  at  us  over 
there  at  Rough  and  Ready,  ami  then  for  awhile  I 
thought  my  time  had  come,  but  it  seemed  he  only 
meant  this  for  a  scare,  but  our  boys  were  not 
made  that  way,  and  he  soon  found  it  out. 

Well,  I  will  not  travel  over  this  ground  any 
more.  The  old  Sixth  fared  pretty  well  generally 


1(54  HISTORY    OF   THE    SIXTH     RIXJIMENT. 

all  through  this  campaign.  We  had  plenty  to  eat 
and  not  very  much  rapid  marching  to  do.  The 
hardest  marching  we  did  was  from  Bowling  Given 
to  Nashville,  from  the  4th  to  the  !>th  of  November. 
Our  regiment,  while  fortunate  in  meeting  with  no 
losses  in  action,  is  nevertheless  several  men  short 
in  numbers  for  duty  from  what  we  were  when  we 
left  here  fifty-four  days  ago.  Take  the  army  all 
through,  however,  and  it  may  he  stronger  now 
than  it  was  then,  as  we  received  2^,000  new  iv- 
rruits  while  at  Louisville. 

The  advance  of  McCook  and  Crittenden  relieved 
Nashville  from  siege,  to  the  great  disappointment 
of  the  enemy,  who  had  several  times  in  the  last 
month  arrogantly  demanded  its  surrender.  Gen 
erals  Nelson  and  Negley,  who  were  the  officers  in 
command  up  until  we  arrived  there,  thought  dif 
ferent,  and  decided  not  to  do  so  unless  they  had 
to  do  it.  l>ut  when  our  corps  and  Crittenden'fl 
moved  over  and  camped  just  south  of  Nashville, 
there  were  no  more  demands  for  surrender. 

We  remained  here  in  camp  from  November  9th 
until  about  the  *2bth  day  of  December.  During  this 
time  the  boys  of  the  Sixth,  as  well  as  the  whole 
army,  fared  well,  and  got  a  good  rest.  But  our  new 
General  seemed  to  think  that  it  would  not  hurt 
us  to  know  how  to  drill,  for  company,  regimental 
and  brigade  drill  was  the  order  of  the  day,  while 
we  underwent  inspection  every  Sunday.  The  boys 
of  the  Sixth  did  get  time,  now  and  then  between 
drill  hours  and  picket  duty,  to  slip  out  to  some 


(SCAT  MI-;  AT  AS  A  LUXURY.  165 

old  fanner's  barnyard  and  capture  a  goat.  I 
promised  the  hoys  that  I  would  sav  nothing  about 
these  goats,  hut  it  won't  make  it  any  worse  to r  the 
goat  nor  the' boys  either. 

I  can  not  tell  why,  hut  there  were  an  unusual 
number  of  goats  in  the  neighborhood  of  Xash- 
yille,  and  even  after  the  ravages  of  both  armies 
for  several  months  previous,  there  still  existed 
a  considerable1  number.  And  they  make  pretty 
good  meat,  too,  and  indeed  as  a  change  from  "sow 
belly"  it  is  a  luxury.  The  hoys  kept  talking  to 

i/  «  «,  o 

me  about  fresh  goat  meat  until  they  got  my 
curiosity  excited,  and  I  asked  them  to  give  rnc  a 
mess,  as  I  would  like  to  try  it  for  myself.  They 
said  certainly,  I  could  have  all  I  wanted,  but  as  the 
Captain  and  I  messed  together,  how  would  I 
manage  him.  I  told  them  that  would  be  all  right, 
I  could  manage  him.  So  I  saw  Old  John,  the 
cook,  and  told  him  the  boys  would  send  me  a 
mess  of  goat  meat  for  dinner,  and  for  him  to  cook 
it  right  nice  and  serve  it  for  dinner,  and  not  to  say 
a  word  about  it.  When  we  went  out  to  dinner 
the  Captain  was  wonderfully  tickled  over  the  fresh 
meat,  and  of  course  the  first  question  was, "  where 
did  you  get  it?"  and  u  what  is  it?''  A  soldier  don't 
consider  it  any  sin  to  lie  to  each  other  when  in 
camp,  so  I  told  him  I  had  been  down  to  market 
and  bought  it,  and  that  they  told  me  it  was  mut 
ton,  lie  ate  it  with  a  relish  and  said  something 
about  sending  me  to  market  every  day.  Soon 
after  dinner  I  met  one  of  the  bovs  who  asked  me 


]<>(')  HISTORY    .  >F    THK    SIXTH     i:K<  i  IMKNT. 

how  the  Captain  and  myself  liked  the  mess  of 
goat.  I  told  him.  splendid  :  and  also  told  him 
how  I  managed  the  Captain  hy  lying  to  him,  at 
the  same  time  told  him  the  Captain  would  find  out 
all  ahont  it,  and  that  I  had  just  as  well  tell  him 
the  whole  story.  The  real  facts  were  that  officers 
were  under  the  most  rigid  orders  as  to  pillaging, 
and  they  were  held  responsible  tor  anv  memhers 
of  their  companies  found  outside  of  camp,  and 
while  they  tried  to  he  particular  with  the  hoys, 
they  not  only  allowed  them  to  forage  some  now 
and  then,  hut  hroke  over  the  lines  themselves  oc 
casionally. 

Well,  this  hoy  told  me  that  at  a  certain  planta 
tion  out  ahout  a  mile1  and  a  half,  there  was  a  Hock 
of  goats  penned  up  under  a  harn  in  a  cellar,  and 
that  very  few  of  the  hoys  knew  of  them  :  he  pro 
posed  that  I  go  down  with  him  and  huy  a  goat, 
and  he  would  dress  it,  and  we  would  go  snucks. 
I  told  him  it  was  a  go,  hut  proposed  that  we  take 
the  Captain  along.  >k  All  right,"  he  says,*' see  him 
and  let's  go  this  evening."  I  did  so,  and  the  Cap 
tain  was  (piick  to  take  up  with  the  idea,  and  the 
next  ten  minutes  found  us  on  the  road  for  the 
plantation,  which  fortunately  was  inside  of  the 
picket  lines.  We  soon  made  the  trip  and  went  at 
once  to  the  house  and  told  our  business.  The  old 
ladv  at  first  denied  having  any  goats,  when  our 
guide  spoke  up  and  asked  whose  goats  those  were 
under  the  harn.  This  made  the  old  lady  wilt,  and 
she  admitted  that  thev  were  hers,  and  told  the 


CAPT.  BROWN,  OF  CO.  K,  GOES  FORAGING.     1 H7 

Captain  he  could  have  one  for  two  dollars:  the 
Captain  proposed  that  I  pay  half  of  it,  which  I 
agreed  to  do;  when  the  goat  was  paid  for,  she  told 
us  how  to  get  to  them  and  away  we  went.  Our 
man  soon  got  the  door  open  and  while  he  went  in 
to  explore  we  stood  guard;  after  a  short  race  and 
some  racket  here  he  came  with  a  nice,  fat  spring 
kid  ;  he  came  out  and  the  door  closed  ;  but  the  next 
thing,  it  must  be  killed  and  dressed  right  here  in 
the  barn  lot,  so  in  looking  around  for  a  suitable 
place,  I  spied  an  old  sled  just  around  the  barn  :  on 
this  the  poor  kid  was  placed  and  his  throat  cut : 
while  the  boy  was  doing  the  dressing  the  Captain 
and  I  were  looking  on.  The  kid  was  only  about 
half  dressed  when  I  happened  to  look  up  and  saw 
that  the  goats  were  all  out,  and  that  not  over 
fifteen  feet  from  the  Captain  and  coming  right  up 
in  his  rear  was  a  huge  billy  goat  with  head  down 
and  tail  erect.  I  yelled  at  the  top  of  my  voice. 
''look  out!"  The  Captain,  supposing  the  rebels 
were  right  on  us,  grabbed  for  his  revolver,  but  be 
fore  he  near  got  it  out  of  his  pocket,  the  old  billy 
jumped  up  and  handed  him  one  just  below  the 
small  of  the  back,  which  knocked  him  plump  over 
the  sled,  boy,  goat  and  all  ;  about  this  time  I  was 
on  top  of  the  barn-yard  fence  and  looked  back 
just  in  time  to  see  the  boy  catch  the  full  weight  of 
the  old  billy  in  the  side,  which  knocked  him  some 
less  than  a  rod,  but  he  got  up  running  and  he  too 
was  soon  on  the  fence.  The  Captain  was  pretty 
badly  hurt,  aside  from  having  his  shins  ski 


1M  HISTORY    OF   THE    SIXTH    KK<;|.MKNT. 

and  one  wrist  badly  sprained,  and  sonic  lm\v  he 
had  got  his  feet  tangled  in  the  sled  and  cnn.se- 
((iicntly  was  slow  ahout  getting  up.  but  he  suc 
ceeded  in  extricating  himself  and  got  on  his  feet 
just  in  time  to  see  the  okl  billy  backing  out  for 
another  charge;  the  Captain  and  billy  both  made 
the  start  about  the  same  time.  The  Captain  for 
the  fence  and  billy  for  the  Captain.  It  was  a  tight 
race  and  the  Captain  would  have  come  out  all 
right  but  he  was  pretty  badly  hurt,  otherwise  he 
would  have  cleared  the  fence  at  a  bound,  but  he 
caught  the  top  rail  with  both  hands  and  set  one 
foot  up  a  few  rails,  intending  to  spring,  but  this 
was  too  good  a  chance  tor  old  billy  to  lose,  and 
he  took  the  Captain  another  bump  on  the  same 
spot  lie  hit  him  before,  and  the  poor  fellow  landed 
on  the  other  side  of  the  fence,  striking  on  his  head 
and  shoulders  and  pulling  two  or  three  rails  over 
on  top  of  him.  The  poor  man  was  badly  hurt 
and  we  went  to  his  relief  (of  course  jumping 
down  on  the  outside  of  the  fence).  An  old  darky 
heard  the  racket  and  came  down  to  see  what  was 
the  matter,  and  it  was  well  for  that  old  billy  goat 
that  the  nigger  got  him  under  the  barn  and  the 
door  closed,  before  the  Captain  was  able  to  stand 
on  his  feet.  I  prepared  a  seat  for  the  Captain  to 
rest  while  the  boy  finished  dressing  the  kid. 
Kverything  ready  the  dressed  kid  was  slipped  into 
a  sack,  brought  along  for  that  purpose,  and  we 
started  for  camp:  we  went  out  in  about  thirty 
minutes,  but  I  think  it  took  us  fullv  two  hours  to 


COLONEL    INVITED    TO    SEE    COMPANY    DRILL.          Hi!) 

go  back.  It  was  quite  a  while  before  the  Captain 
reported  for  duty,  and  it  was  over  a  year  before 
any  fellow  dare  in  his  presence  say  goat. 

General  Rosecrans,  in  order  to  make  liis  army 
as  efficient  as  possible,  required  company  drill 
every  day.  Our  Captain  never  could  drill  very 
well,  l>nt  this  did  not  excuse  him.  lie  was  Cap 
tain,  and  had  command  of  the  company,  and  lie 
must  drill  it.  So,  one  day,  he  took  us  out  and  be 
gan  to  drill  ns  in  a  large  meadow.  The  Colonel 
got  on  his  horse  and  rode  out  near  by  and  watched 
us  until  he  was  satisfied,  and  the  bugle  blew  the 
recall.  In  going  out  we  passed  through  an  open 
ing  in  a  stone  fence  ju*t  wide  enough  for  a  team 
to  drive  through.  Our  Captain  thought  lie  would 
show  the  Colonel  what  an  expert  he  was  in  drill 
ing.  So  he  started  his  company  across  the  meadow 
toward  the  gap  in  the  stone  wall,  in  line  of  battle. 
All  went  well  until  he  got  to  the  gap,  and  he  could 
not  think  of  the  proper  command  to  get  them 
through  the  gap,  and  they  kept  on  going  until  they 
were  about  to  run  into  the  fence,  when  the  Captain 
yelled  out  lialt;  and  waiting  awhile,  he  gave  the 
command,  "  break  ranks  and  form  on  the  other 
side." 


(MIAPTEK  XL 

THE  ARMY  REORGANI/ED. 

A  general  forward  movement — Our  Corps  moves,  Dec.  27,  by  way 
of  Triune — We  push  the  enemy  toward  Murfreesboro — The 
enemy  contests  every  inch  of  ground  —  A  running  tight  for  20 
miles— Kosecrans  builds  fires  to  deceive  the  enemy — But  they 
don't  deceive — Our  right  completely  crushed — Sixth  Indiana 
on  reserve — Stragglers  our  first  knowledge  of  disaster — We, 
too,  fall  back  with  the  retreating  army  — We  are  nearly  cap 
tured — We  rally  and  repulse  the  enemy— We  sleep  on  our 
arms  in  possession  of  the  field — We  win  a  victory  the  last  day 
of  the  year--A  hard  fight  New  Year's  day — Bragg  out-gener- 
aled — Bragg  comes  again  the  2d  of  January — Fifty-eight 
pieces  of  artillery  sweep  him  from  the  field— Col.  Millet  deals 
the  death  blow — Bragg  mortified  and  discouraged — January 
3  finds  us  masters  of  the  field — Midnight  of  the  3d,  Bragg's 
army  in  full  retreat — We  bury  the  dead,  Sunday,  January  4  — 
Results  of  the  battle,  etc — The  Sixth  Indiana  and  her  \omtt 
We  move  into  Murfreesboro — Go  into  camp. 

Before  \ve  advance  further  I  will  give  tlie 
changes  made  by  General  Rosecrans  in  his  reor 
ganization  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  before 
he  went  into  the  tight  at  Murfreesboro,  or  so  much 
of  it,  at  least,  as  is  necessary  to  properly  locate 
onr  regiment  and  brigade,  etc-.,  in  the  tight. 

Major-General  A.  Mel).  AlcCook  was  still  onr 
corps  commander,  and  was  designated  as  the  right 
wing  of  the  army  in  this  coming  battle.  Briga 
dier-General  K.  W.  Johnson  commanded  the  Sec 
ond  Division  of  McCook's  Corps.  This  division 


HAGERMAN    TR1PP. 


THE    ARMY    KKOR(JANI/KD.  171 

was  composed  of  three  brigades,  of  which  we  were 
tlie  Third,  commanded  by  Colonel  P.  P.  Baldwin, 
of  our  regiment.  Then  the  Sixth  Indiana  Regi 
ment  was  a  part  of  the  Third  Brigade,  Second 
Division  of  McCook's  Corps,  which  formed  the 
right  \vin»m  of  the  army.  I  will  simply  add,  in  or 
der  to  give  the  reader  a  general  idea  of  the  whole 
army  under  Rosecrans,  at  this  time,  that  the  left 
wing  of  the  army  was  commanded  hy  General 
Crittenden,  while  the  center  wras  under  (general 
Thomas,  who  had  superseded  General  Gilbert. 

McCook's  Corps  consisted  of  three  divisions— 
the  First  Division,  commanded  by  General  .Jetfer- 
Kon  (\  Davis;  the  second,  commanded  by  General 
R.  AV.  .Johnson,  Avhile  the  third  was  commanded 
by  General  P.  II.  Sheridan. 

The  Third  Brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel  P. 
P.  Baldwin,  consisted  of— 

Sixth  Indiana  Regiment,  commanded  by  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  II.  Trip}). 

First  Ohio  Regiment,  commanded  by  Major  .1. 
A.  Stafford. 

Ninety-third  Ohio  Regiment,  commanded  by 
rolonel  Charles  Anderson. 

Fifth  Kentucky  Regiment,  commanded  by  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  AVm.  \V.  Berry. 

Fifth  Indiana  Battery,  commanded  by  Captain 
P.  Simonson. 

On  the  morning  of  December  26th,  Rose  crane 
ordered  a  forward  movement  of  the  whole  army. 


172  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    RI-XtlMKNT. 

McGook  was  t(»  move  his  command  on  the  Xolins- 
ville  pike  to  Triune. 

Davis  took  tin-  advance  of  the  right  wing  with 
the  First  Division.  He  moved  from  camp  at  »> 
o'clock,  on  the  Edmonson  pike.  The  Third  Di 
vision,  under  Sheridan,  moved  on  the  Nolinsville 
pike,  followed  by  Second  Division,  under  Johnson. 

The  advance  under  both  of  these  columns  en 
countered  the  cavalry  pickets  of  the  enemy  within 
two  miles  of  the  Federal  picket  line.  As  we  ad 
vanced  there  was  constant  skirmishing  until  the 
heads  of  each  of  these'  columns  reached  Xolinsville. 
About  one  mile  south  of  the  town  the  enemy  made 
a  determined  stand  in  a  defile  and  upon  the  hills 
through  which  the  pike  ran  at  this  place,  known 
as  Knob's  (iap.  They  had  it  well  guarded  by  their 
artillery,  and  opened  tire  at  long  range  on  General 
Davis,  who  brought  up  two  of  his  batteries  and 
opened  up  on  them  in  a  manner  that  soon  threw 
them  into  confusion,  while1  Colonel  Carlin's  brigade 
of  his  division  charged  their  position,  capturing 
two  guns  and  several  prisoners.  Our  brigade  did 
not  get  into  this  engagement,  but  followed  with 
Sheridan's  troops  in  supporting  distance  all  day. 
Davis  alone  had  proved  an  overmatch  for  the 
enemy  without  our  assistance,  and  had  driven  him 
from  his  position  all  along  the  line,  but  by  this 
time  Johnson  and  Sheridan  had  come  up,  and  night 
coming  on  we  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

General  McCook  ordered  a  forward  movement 
the  next  morning,  the  27th,  toward  Triune,  but  a 
dense  fojf,  so  thick  as  to  forbid  the  distinction  of 


THE    SIXTH    ON    THE    SKIRMISH    LINE.  178 

friend  from  foe,  prevented  an  early  advance,  and  it 
was  deemed  hazardous  to  press  an  engagement  on 
unknown  ground. 

This  time  General  Johnson  had  been  put  forward 
in  the  lead,  and  in  our  attempt  to  advance  earlv  in 
the  morning  we  struck  the  enemy  in  force.  The 
forenoon  was  used  up  by  heavy  skirmishing  and 
playing  on  the  enemy  with  the  artillery.  In  the 
meanwhile  McCook  learned  that  Ilardee  was  in 
position  in  our  immediate  front,  and  had  been  in 
line  of  battle  since  the  night  before.  The  fog  lifted 
about  noon  and  Johnson's  division  was  pushed  for 
ward,  followed  by  that  of  Sheridan.  As  we  ap 
proached  Triune  we  found  the  enemy  had  burned 
the  bridge  across  Wilson's  Creek  and  retired,' leav 
ing1  a  battery  of  six  pieces,  with  cavalry  supports, 
to  hold  the  crossing. 

The  Sixth  Indiana,  along  with  the  balance  of  our 
brigade,  was  placed  on  the  skirmish  line.  We  ad 
vanced  upon  the  enemy,  who  made  a  very  feeble 
resistance,  then  withdrew  their  battery,  followed 
by  the  cavalry,  moving  off  rapidly  toward  Kagles- 
ville.  We  repaired  the  bridge,  crossed  and  went 
into  camp  beyond  Wilson's  Creek.  The  resistance 
made  to  McCook's  Corps  had  delayed  the  whole 
line,  and  then  the  boys  will  remember  the  incessant 
rain  on  the  26th  and  27th,  rendering  the  pikes  very 
muddy,  while  the  cross-roads  were  almost  impassa 
ble.  The  condition  of  the  roads  and  unwieldy  con 
dition  of  the  army  made  it  a  matter  of  necessity  to 
move  slowlv. 


174  !!I>IOKV    OF    TIIK    SIXTH    RK<;i.M  KNT. 

The  -8th  being  S&bbath  there  was  no  general 
advance.  General  McCook  sent  forward  General 
Willich's  brigade  on  a  reconnoissance  to  ascertain 
tlit'  direction  of  Ilardee's  retreat,  General  Willicli 
advanced  seven  miles  on  the  Shelhyville  road  and 
learned  that  he  had  retired  to  Murfreesboro. 

Our  corps  lav  here  all  day.  hut  the  next  day.  the 
2Mth,  McCook.  leaving  our  brigade  at  Triune  to 
•cover  the  extreme  right,  moved  forward  with  the 
remainder  of  his  command,  on  a  country  road 
known  as  the  *•  Bole  .lack"  road,  toward  Mur- 
freeshoro.  That  night  McCook  went  into  camp, 
arranging  his  corps  in  line  of  hattle  across  the 
Wilkinson  pike.  The  next  day,  the  tfotli,  our 
brigade  was  ordered  up  trom  Triune,  and  we  took 
our  place  in  line  along  with  our  division.  Very 
early  on  the1  morning  of  this  day  General  McCook 
was  onlered  to  move  forward  <>u  the  Wilkinson 
pike.  Sheridan  took  the  front,  with  l>avis  next, 
while  Johnson  brought  up  the  rear.  I  suppose 
Johnson  was  put  in  the  reserve  on  account  of  our 
brigade  not  being  up  yet  when  they  moved.  As 
Sheridan  advanced,  the  enemy's  resistance  was 
more  and  more  obstinately  opposed,  and  when  he 
got  within  two  and  a  quarter  miles  of  Murfiv*  -- 
boro  it  became  necessary  to  deploy  General  l>a\i> 
on  the  line  of  battle.  Our  division  was  still  in  the 
reserve.  All  idea  that  Bragg  did  not  intend  to 
give  us  battle  right  here1,  and  without  giving  ha<-k 
another  inch,  had  vanished,  and  I  believe  that 
every  soldier  in  the  army  had  made  up  his  mind 


POSITION    OF   THE    REBEL   AIJMY.  175 

on  this  point.  He  had  also  made  up  his  mind  that 
the  task  we  had  undertaken  was  not  only  a  hi"- 
one,  hut  a  hard  and  dangerous  one,  and  while  a 
fellow  is  haek  in  the  rear,  just  far  enough  to  he  in 
the  way  of  the  stray  halls,  he  lias  plentv  of  time 
to  think  of  all  these  tilings.  For  my  part,  I 
had  rather  he  right  up  on  the  front  line,  so  that 
if  I  had  to  he  killed  it  eould  he  said  of  me  that  1 
died  at  the  front,  and  not  that  I  was  killed  hv  a 
stray  hall  away  hack  in  the  rear,  and,  anyhow,  I 
think  that  one  place  is  just  ahout  as  safe  as  the 
other.  After  Davis  took  his  place  on  the  front 
line  the  hnsiness  amounted  to  more  than  a  skir 
mish,  as  hoth  armies  got  down  to  business.  There 
would  have  heen  nothing  very  serious  occur  had 
not  Carlin  charged  a  hattery  which  he  failed  to 
capture,  incurring  considerable  loss.  On  this  ac 
count  Davis'  division  lost  near  two  hundred  men, 
while  Sheridan  lost  seventy-five. 

Shortly  hefore  sunset  the  rehel  position  was 
plainly  discernible  from  Davis'  front,  and  was 
formed  running  diagonally  across  the  old  Mur- 
freeshoro  and  Franklin  road:  In  the  afternoon 
MeCook  learned  from  a  citizen  the1  exact  location 
of  Bragg" s  army,  which  overlapped  his  right  so 
far  that  he  became  greatly  alarmed  for  its  safety, 
and  he  immediately  sent  word  to  General  Rose- 
craus.  He  then  went  to  work  at  once  to  reform 
his  lines.  He  also  took  the  other  two  brigades  of 
our  division,  which  were  commanded  by  Willich 
and  Kirk,  and  placed  them  on  the  extreme  right. 


176  m>ToKy  OF  TIIK  SIXTH   R 

then  held  by  Dav'u.  directing  them  to  form  nearlv 
perpendicular  to  the  main  line,  so  as  to  protect  tli«' 
right  Hank.  Our  brigade  is  still  on  the  reserve. 
Mi-Cook  considered  tliis  line  a  strong  one,  with 
open  ground  ill  the  front  fora  short  distance.  At 
six  o'clock  in  the  evening  McCook  received  an 
order  from  Uosecrans  to  have  large  and  extended 
camp-tires  made  on  the  right,  extending  far  be 
yond  the  right  of  the  line,  to  deceive  the  enemy, 
and  make  him  helieve  that  troops  were  being 
massed  there.  Fires  were  hnilt  extending  nearly 
a  mile  beyond  the  right  of  McCook'e  line.  In  tliis 
position  the  right  wing  rested  in  the  cedars  the 
night' before  the  hattle.  The  troops  cutting  cedar 
bonghs  for  beds,  and  officers  and  men  wrapping 
themselves  in  their  blankets  slept  in  frosty  night- 
air  with  the  silent  stars  looking  down  upon  them. 

"  Just  before  the  battle,  mother, 
F  am  thinking,  dear,  of  thee." 

It  may  be  presumptuous  on  my  part  to  criticise 
the  actions  and  plans  of  such  a  (general  as  Uose- 
crans,  but  if  the  building  of  these  fires  on  McCook's 
extreme  right  was  not  a  mistake,  then  my  judg 
ment  is  at  fault.  McCook  had  already  notified 
Rosecrans  that  his  right  was  in  danger,  that  his 
right  rested  nearly  opposite  Bragg's  renter,  and 
took  the  responsibility  of  taking  two  brigades  of 
his  reserve  and  extending  his  right  still  farther. 
Kosecrans'  idea  of  forcing  Bragg  to  believe  that  he 
was  massing  forces  on  his  right,  certainly  would 
not  induce  Bra^ir  to  weaken  his  line  in  McCook'a 


SIXTH     INDIANA     IN    RESEKVK.  177 

front,  hut  rather  to  strengthen  it.  That  portion 
of  Bragg* s  army  already  in  Mi-Cook's  front,  was 
entirely  too  lieavy  for  it,  without  inducing  liim  to 
make  it  still  more  so.  McCook  himself  did  not 
approve  of  an  effort  on  Rosecrans'  part  to  induce 
Bragg  to  strengthen  or  extend  his  own  left,  as 
from  reliahle  information  the  Cnion  armv  was  in 
no  condition  to  meet  any  such  emergency.  It 
would  he  only  reasonable  from  the  information 
Rosecrans  already  .had,  for  him  to  either  strengthen 
or  try  to  conceal  the  weakness  of  his  right.  We  are 

i*  tT1 

apt  to  guard  against  impending  danger.  If  Rose 
crans  had  not  huilt  those  tires  so  far  out  on  his 
right,  Bragg  might  have  thought  that  it  would  he 
necessary  for  him  to  leave  more  of  his  troops  over 
with  Breckenridge,  and  then  it  was  positively 
known  to  .Rosecrans  that  Breckenridge's  division 
was  all  tlic1  rebel  force  left  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river.  This  force  under  Breckenridge  constituted 
only  about  two-fifths  of  the  whole  rehel  army  : 
then  pray,  where  was  the  other  three-fifths  hut  to 
be  massed  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  and  con 
sequently  on  the  immediate  front  of  McCook? 
And  here  is  the  great  emergency  which  McCook 
.saw,  and  tried  to  avert  by  taking  two  brigades  of 
our  division  and  placing  them  to  protect  and 
guard  his  extreme  right.  Hut  when  the  lieavy 
massed  rebel  columns  came  against  them  next 
morning,  our  thin,  slender  line,  without  any  re 
serve  at  all  vou  might  say  (for  our  brigade  was 


12 


178  HISTORY  or  Tin:  SIXTH   RI.<;I.MI;VI  . 

fully  a  mile  in  the  real'  ami  near  Johnson's  head- 
quarters),  was  crushed  and  compelled  to  give  way, 
while  our  right  was  continually  overlapped  faster 
than  our  line  could  he  extended.  The  first  intima 
tion  that  we  of  the  Sixth  Regiment  had  of  the  dis 
aster,  was  hy  seeing  the  flying,  demoralized  men 
coming  to  the  rear. 

(-Jon.  Henry  M.  Cist,  author  of  a  history  of  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland,  has  this  to  say  of  Bald 
win's  brigade  : 

u  Baldwin  in  reserve  near  headquarters  was  too 
far  from  the  front  to  aid  in  supporting  either  of 
the  other  brigades  of  Johnson's  division.  Strag 
glers  fponi  .Kirk's  and  AVillioh's  hrigados  gave  the 
first  information  to  Baldwin  of  the  disasters  on 
the  right.  Hastily  forming  his  troops,  he  had 
barely  time  to  post  them  in  line  of  hattle  hefore 
the  enemy,  in  immense  masses,  appeared  <>n  his 
front  in  short  range,  their  left  extending  far  be 
yond  the  extreme  right  of  his  line.  Opening  at 
once  a  destructive  fire  upon  their  dense  masses 
with  his  infantry  and  artillery,  Baldwin  succeeded 
in  checking  their  advance  in  his  front,  hut  their 
left  continued  to  swing  around  on  his  right.  Hero 
four  pieces  of  Simonson's  battery,  posted  near  the 
woods  in  the  real1  of  the  first  position, opened  with 
terrible  effect.  The  enemy  came  on  in  such  over 
whelming  numbers  that  after  half  an  hour's  stuh- 
l)oiin  resistance,  Baldwin  was  compelled  to  retire, 
not,  however,  until  the  enemy  had  flanked  his 
right,  and  were  pouring  in  an  enfilading  tire.  AH 


NEARLY    CAPTURED.  17i» 

it  was,  he  barely  made  his  escape,  since,  in  a  mo 
ment  longer,  his  entire  command  would  have  heen 
surrounded  and  captured.  At  the  edge  of  the 
woods  Baldwin  endeavored  to  make  another  stand, 
hut  before  he  could  form  his  line  he  was  again 
forced  back.  Retiring  slowly,  with  several  halts 
in  the  cedars,  Baldwin,  with  his  brigade,  reached 
the  railroad,  where  the  rest  of  the  division  was 
being  re-formed. 

"  The  right  flank  being  driven  from  its  position 
by  the  left  of  the  enemy,  Davis'  division  then  felt 
the  full  force  of  the  victorious  sweep  of  the  rebel 
troops,  flushed  with  success  and  aided  by  the 
forces  immediately  in  his  front.  Davis,  as  soon 
as  the  disaster  on  his  right  had  fully  developed,  at 
once  changed  front  and  formed  a  new  line,  with 
his  right  brigade  upon  Post,  nearly  at  right  angles 
to  its  former  position,  and  made  all  necessary  dis 
position  of  his  troops  to  receive  the  attack.  Bald 
win's  brigade  had  hastily  taken  position  and  had 
already  felt  the  force  ot  the  enemy's  concentrated 
attack.  Still  the  advancing  lines  of  the  enemy 
greatly  overlapped  the  extreme  right  of  Baldwin. 
Hardly  had  the  troops  been  placed  in  this  position 
before  the  enemy  swept  down  in  heavy  masses 
upon  both  the  flank  and  front,  charging  with  the 
rebel  veil.  The  two  divisions  of  McTown's  and 
CleburneV  troops,  which  had  driven  Johnson, 
hurled  themselves  upon  Baldwin's  and  Post's 
brigades,  while  the  fresh  troops  of  Withers"  di 
vision,  composed  of  \Vanigault's  and  Loomis 


180  HISTOKY    OF    THK    SIXTH    RE<;FMi:\r 

brigades,  rushed  upon  those  of  Davis,  under  Car- 
lin  and  Woodruff,  and  upon  that  on  the  right  of 
Slieridan's  line,  under  Sill. 

The  change  of  position  of  Post's  brigade  gave 
to  the  two  remaining  brigades  of  Davis'  division 
and  Sills'  brigade  of  Sheridan's  command  the 
length  of  division  front,  and  on  this  the  enemy 
made  a  united  attack.  After  Baldwin  had  been 
compelled  to  retire.  Post  repulsed  the  attaek  on 
his  brigade,  and  Cariin.  Woodruff  and  Sill  in  the 
front  drove  back  the  assaulting  column  of  the  reb 
els  with  heavy  loss." 

The  tight  in  this  battle,  so  far  as  Mi-Cook's 
corps  is  concerned,  was  now  virtually  at  an  end, 
as  he  was  ordered  to  the  rear,  where  he  re-formed 
his  line  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Nashville  pike, 
win-re  it  lay  in  position,  while  Van  ('leve's  divis 
ion,  which  up  to  this  time1  had  not  been  engaged, 
was  brought  over  from  the  left  wing  and  placed 
on  the  front,  just  in  time  to  receive  the  last  charge 
made  by  the  rebels  <>u  that  day.  This  charge  was 
handsomely  repulsed,  and  the  tighting  for  the  day 
was  over,  and  on  the  field  where  death  had  reaped 
such  a  heavy  harvest  on  the  last  day  of  18«>2  the 
troops  slept  on  their  arms,  waiting  for  what  tin- 
next  day  might  bring  forth.  The  night  was  clear 
and  cold.  The  armies  maintained  their  relative 
positions,  with  some  picket  firing  occurring  daring 
the  night.  Thus  ended  the  tirst  day  of  one  of  the 
hardest-fought  battles  of  the  war. 

Very  little  sleeping  did   the  boys  do  this   night, 


Wi;    SLKKP    ON    Ol'K    AKM8.  LSI 

as  tin.1  whole  night  was  taken  uj»  in  making  the 
necessary  changes  to  get  into  position  and  to  re 
form  tin1  lines  to  accord  with  the  new  order  of 
tilings.  During  the  night  we  refilled  our  cartridge 
boxes,  took  parched  corn  for  supper,  and  slept  on 
our  arms  with  our  clothes  on  and  one  eye  open, 
ready  to  he  called  into  line  for  action  on  a  mo 
ment's  notice. 

The  extent  of  the  disaster  on  the  right  was  ap 
palling-  and  seemed  at  one  time  about  to  envelop 
the  entire  army.  As  the  storm  of  battle  passed 
down  the  line  it  reached  Thomas,  who,  cool,  calm 
and  self-sustained,  stood  the  test  of  one  of  the 
fiercest  contests  of  the  war.  It  was  to  him  that 
Kosecrans  first  turned  in  the  hour  of  disaster,  and 
in  him  lie  trusted  most.  The  commander  of  the 
army,  too,  was  sorely  tried.  lie  had  come  to  win 
victory,  but  in  place  of  it  defeat  seemed  almost 
inevitable.  Reforming  his  lines  and  bravely  fight 
ing,  he  had  hurled  back  Bragg's  army  before  it 
had  achieved  any  decisive  success.  Rosecrans 
knew  that  his  losses  had  been  extremely  heavy, 
but  those  of  the  enemy  had  been  still  more  severe. 
He  felt  that  on  a  question  of  endurance1  his  army 
would  come  out  first,  although  the  dash  and  onset 
of  the  rebels  had  at  the  opening  been  able  to  sweep 
all  before  them.  In  the  face  of  an  earnest  eftort 
on  the  part  of  some  of  his  general  officers  to  per 
suade  him  to  fall  back  to  Nashville  and  there 
throw  up  works  and  wait  for  reinforcements,  Kose 
crans  determined  to  await  the  attack  of  the  enemy 


HISTORY    OF    Till:    SIXTH    RK<,IMENT. 

in  tlui  position  of  liis  lines  Wednesday  afternoon. 
He  sent  for  the  provision  teams,  ordered  up  fresh 
supplies  of  ammunition,  and  decided  that  if  Bragg 
should  not  attack  het'oiv  these  arrived  that  he 
himself  would  then  resume  offensive  operations. 

(General  Cist  gives  such  a  minute  description  of 
this  battle  that  I  deem  it  proper  and  right  to  quote 
from  him  still  further.  IFe  says:  -During  the 
morning  of  January  1,  1808,  the  rebels  made  re 
peated  attempts  to  advance  on  Thomas'  front  in 
the  center,  hut  were  driven  hack  before  emerging 
from  the  woods.  Crittenden  was  ordered  to  send 
Van  Cleve's  division  across  the  river  to  occupy  the 
position  opposite  the  ford  on  his  left,  thrown  for 
ward  perpendicular  to  it.  The  rebel  right,  under 
1'olk,  kept  up  a  hrisk  skirmish  fire  on  their  front, 
Chalmers'  brigade  was  ordered  to  occupy  the 
ground  in  front  of  the  4  Round  Forest/  Bragg  an 
ticipating  an  attack  on  his  right  under  I>reckin- 
ridge,  on  the  morning  of  the  1st.  during  the 
night  ordered  two  brigades  of  that  division  to  re- 
eross  to  the  east  side  of  the  river.  l>ut  none  was 
made.  About  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  enemy 
showed  signs  of  movement  by  massing  large  num 
bers  of  his  troops  on  onr  right,  at  the  extremity 
of  an  open  field  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  Mur- 
freesboro  pike.  Here  the  rebels  formed  in  line  six 
deep,  and  massed  thus  heavily  remained  without 
advancing  for  over  an  hour.  Gibson's  brigade 
and  a  battery  occupied  the  woods  near  OveralU 
(.'reek,  while  Xegley's  was  placed  as  support  <>n 


GENERAL    CISTS    DESCRIPTION.  183 

Al cCook's  right.  The  evident  design  of  Hraii'g 
during  the  day  was  simply  to  feel  the  lines  of  our 
army  to  find  out  if  Rosecraiie  was  retreating.  Sat 
isfied  of  this,  he  felt  that  he  could  maintain  his 
position.  lie  was  not  in  condition  to  attack  after 
the  heavy  hammering  his  army  had  received  the 
day  before. 

"At  daylight  the  next  day  P>ragg  gave  orders  to 
his  corps  commanders  to  feel  our  lines  and  ascer 
tain  Rosecrans"  position.  Fire  was  opened  from 
four  batteries  on  the  center,  and  a  demonstration 
in  force  was  made  by  his  infantry,  followed  by  an 
other  on  MeCook,  but  at  all  points  meeting  with 
a  heavy  artillery  fire,  he  concluded  that  our  army 
still  occupied  the  battle  field  in  force.  Bragg  or 
dered  Whartoif  s  and  Pegram's  brigades  of  cavalry 
to  cross  to  the  right  bank  of  Stone  River,  immedi 
ately  in  Breekinridge's  front.  Soon  after  this  a 
number  of  his  staff  officers  discovered  for  the  first 
time  that  Van  Cleve's  troops,  sent  over  the  day 
before,  had  quietly  crossed  unopposed,  ami  had  es 
tablished  themselves  on  and  under  cover  of  an 
eminence  from  which  Folk's  line  was  commanded 
and  enfiladed.  It  was  an  evident  necessity  either 
to  withdraw  Folk's  line  or  to  dislodge  Van  Cleve's. 
The  first  alternative  was  not  to  be  entertained  un 
til  the  failure  of  an  attempt  to  accomplish  the 
latter.  Folk  was  at  once  ordered  to  send  over  to 
Breekinridge  the  remaining  brigades  belonging  to 
his  division  still  with  Folk,  and  Breekinridge  re 
porting  to  Braii'g  received  his  orders.  The  attack 


1K4  HISTORY    OF    THK    SIXTH     i:i:<  H.MKN 'I  . 

was  to  IK-  made  with  the  four  brigades  of  Brcekin- 
ridge's  command,  the  cavalry  protecting  his  right 
and  co-operate  with  him.  The  crest  of  ground 
lira i-  the  river,  where  Van  Clove's  division  was  in 
position,  was  the  point  against  which  the  main 
attack  was  to  he  directed.  This  taken,  Breekin- 
ridge  was  to  hriug  up  his  artillery  and  establish  it 
on  high  ground,  so  as  to  enfilade  our  lines  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river.  Polk  was  to  open  with  a 
heavy  tire  on  our  left  as  Breckin ridge  commenced 
his  advance.  The  signal  for  the  attack  was  to  he 
one  gun  from  the1  center,  and  4  o'clock  was  the 
hour  set  for  the  tiring  of  this  i»-un.  Breckin  ridge 
drew  up  his  division  in  two  line's,  the  first  in  a 
narrow  skirt  of  woods,  the  other  some  two  hun 
dred  yards  in  the  rear.  The  artillery  was  placed 
in  rear  of  the  second  line,  and  in  addition  Jo  that 
of  his  hrigade.  ten  Napoleon  guns.  1 2-pounders. 
were  sent  to  aid  in  the  attack. 

\  an  Cleve's  division  was  under  command  of 
Colonel  Samuel  Beatty  with  (irider's  brigade  for 
support,  while  a  hrigade  of  Palmer's  division  was 
placed  in  position  on  the  extreme  left  to  protect 
that  Hank.  l>rury's  hattcry  was  posted  in  the 
rear.  In  front  of  Breckinriduv's  line  was  an  open 
space  some  six  hundred  and  fifty  yards  in  width, 
with  a  gentle  ascent  which  it  was  necessary  for 
his  troops  to  cross  hefore  reaching  our  lines.  Sev 
eral  hundred  yards  in  the  rear  of  the  latter  was  the 
river,  increasing  the  distance  as  it  flowed  hevond 


I  IITV-KIGHT    GUNS    IN    POSITION.  1  .S.~) 

our  loft.  General  Rosecrans  lia<l  ordered  (Yitten- 
deii  to  sond  Beatty's  division  across  the  river  as 
protection  to  tlie  troops  on  the  left  and  center,  as 
from  the  high  ground  near  the  river,  the  enemy 
by  an  enfilading  tire,  could  sweep  these  portions 
of  our  lines.  During  the  morning  of  the  2d, 
Xegley's  division  was  ordered  from  the  right  and 
placed  in  position  on  the  west  hank  of  the  river 
in  the  roar  of  Beatty's  division  as  reserves,  being 
here  on  the  left  of  1 1  a/en's  and  Oruft  s  brigades  of 
Palmer's  division. 

As  soon  as  Breckin ridge's  command  entered 
the  open  ground  to  his  front,  the  artillery  massed 
on  the  west  hank  of  the  river  by  order  of  Critten- 
den,  consisting  of  all  the  guns  of  the  left  wing,  to 
gether  with  the  batteries  belonging  to  Xegley's 
division  and  Stokes'  battery,  making  fifty-eight 
guns  in  position,  opened  a  heavy,  accurate  and 
destructive  fire.  Largo  numbers  of  the  enemy  fell 
before  they  reached  Beatty's  infantry  lines.  .Press 
ing  forward,  without  waiting  to  throw  out  a 
skirmish  line1,  Breekin  ridge's  command  swept 
onward,  reckless  of  the  artillery  tire,  and  that  of 
the  infantry,  and  struck  Price's  and  (Jrider's 
brigades,  broke  their  lines,  drove  them  from  their 
position  onto  their  support  in  the  rear,  which  also 
gave  way,  when  the  entire  division  retreated 
in  broken  ranks  across  the  river,  taking  refuse 
behind  the  line  of  Xegley's  division,  and  there  re 
forming. 

Colonel  .John  F.  Miller,  commanding  the   right 


1X6  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    KE(JIMI  N  I  . 

brigade. of  Xegley's  division,  had  ordered  his 
troops  to  lie  down  under  cover  of  the  bluff  of  the 
river  hank,  and  hold  their  tire  until  our  troops 
from  the  other  side  crossed  over  and  moved  to 
the  rear.  As  soon  as  the  last  of  Ueatty's  men 
had  passed  through  Miller's  lines,  lie  commanded 
the  division  to  rise  and  open  tire  on  the  approach 
ing  rebels.  Miller's  tire  was  so  effectively  given 
as  to  cause  the  enemy  at  once  to  recoil.  At  the 
same  time  our  artillery  tire  on  the  left  was  enfilad 
ing  his  ranks.  His  division  soon  wavered,  and  then 
began  falling  back.  This  was  Colonel  Miller's 
<'hance,  and  he  ordered  his  troops  to  charge  across 
the  river,  and  to  drive  the  enemy  to  their  lines  of 
entrenchments,  which  they  did. 

About  the  time  Miller's  command  had  got  to 
the  river,  he  received  orders  from  General  Palmer 
not  to  cross,  hut  as  he  was  driving  the  enemy 
nicely  lie  did  not  obey,  but  ordered  the  troops 
forward.  One  of  the  enemy's  batteries  was  posted 
in  a  wood  close  by  and  was  keeping  up  a  brisk 
fire  on  Miller's  advance.  He  ordered  his  men  to 
charge  this  battery,  which  they  did,  capturing 
three  guns.  At  the  time  of  the  charge  the  Twen 
ty-sixth  Tennessee  was  supporting  the  battery. 
This  regiment  was  broken  by  the  assault  and  a 
large  number  of  them  captured  with  the  colors  ot 
the  command. 

The  commands  under  Generals  Davis  and  Ha/en 
were  at  once  ordered  across  the  river  to  support- 
Miller.  They  secured  a  good  line,  and  went  into 


I'.RA<;<;    MORTIFIED    AND    DIS( '<  >( 

position  tor  the  night.  Bragg  was  deeply  cha 
grined  at  the  failure  of  Breckinridge's  movement, 
hut  as  night  closed  down  lie  could  do  nothing  hut 
to  prepare  to  defend  himself  on  to-morrow.  This 
lie  did  by  re-arranging  his  troops  during  the  nii^ht. 
General  Rosecrans  ordered  Davis  to  take  and  hold 
the  line  occupied  by  Beatty's  division,  while  Crit- 
tenden's  corps  crossed  the  river,  took  position  and 
entrenched  themselves. 

During  the  morning  of  the  ->d  Bragg  ordered  a 
heavy  and  constant  picket  tiring  to  be  kept  up  on 
his  front,  to  determine  whether  our  army  still 
confronted  him.  At  one  point  in  the  wood  to  the 
left  of  the  Murfreesboro  pike,  the  rebel  sharp 
shooters  had  all  day  annoyed  Rousseau,  who  re 
quested  permission  to  dislodge  them  and  their  sup 
ports,  covering  a  ford  at  that  place.  About  six 
o'clock  in  the  evening  two  regiments  from  John 
Beatty's  brigade  of  Rousseau's  division,  co-operat 
ing  with  two  regiments  of  Spear's  brigade  of  Xeg- 
lev's  division,  under  cover  of  a  brisk  artillery  fire, 
advanced  on  the  woods  and  drove  the  enemy  not 
only  from  their  cover,  but  also  from  their  en 
trenchments  a  short  distance  from  the  rear. 

At  noon  Bragg,  on  consultation  with  his  gen 
erals,  decided  to  retreat,  leaving  the  field  in  pos 
session  of  his  opponent.  About  midnight  of  the 
2d,  after  Breckinridge's  failure,  Clebnrne  and 
Withers  had  sent  a  communication  to  Bragg, 
stating  that  there  were  but  three  brigades  that 
were  at  all  reliable,  and  even  some  of  these  were 


HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH     KIXUMENT. 

more  or  less  demoralized.  They  expressed  their 
tears  of  great  disaster,  which  sliould  he  avoided 
by  ivtivat.  1'olk  told  Bragg  that  "after  seeing 
tlie  effect  of  the  operations  of  to-day,  added  t<> 
that  produced  upon  the  troops  by  the  battle  of  the 
31st,  I  very  greatly  fear  the  consequences  of  an 
other  engagement  at  this  plaee  on  the  ensuing 
day.  And,"  he  continued,  u  we  eonld  now,  per 
haps,  get  otf  with  some  safety,  and  with  some 
credit,  it' the  affair  was  well  managed.  Should  we 
fail  in  the  meditated  attack,  the  consequences 
miii'ht  he  very  disastrous."  Bragg  saw  very 
plainly  that  his  generals  were  already  whipped, 
and  that  to  risk  another  engagement  would  he 
certain  destruction  to  his  army,  so  ahont  midnight 
of  the  3d  he  put  his  whole  army  under  full  retreat 
to  a  position  behind  Duck  River. 

Sunday,  January  4,  18<>o.  was  spent  bv  our  boys 
in  burying  the  dead  of  both  armies. 

The  retreat  of  Bragg  was  rapid  and  complete, 
and  only  a  feeble  effort  was  made  to  follow  him. 
He  left,  in  his  hospitals  at  Murfreeshoro,  all  his 
sick  and  wounded.  l>y  this  some  2,f>00  prisoners 
fell  into  our  hands  to  be  cared  for.  Thus,  after 
seven  days'  battle,  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
rested  in  Murfreeshoro,  haviuir  achieved  the  object 
of  the  winter  campaign. 

The  final  battle  for  Kentucky  had  been  fought  by 
I>r;tgg  and  lost.  Nashville,  too,  was  now  beyond 
his  hopes,  and  for  the  great  victory  of  the  31st, 
which  lie  claimed,  Bragg  bad  hut  little  to  show. 


RESULTS  OF  THE  BATTLE,  ETC.  189 

111  the  heavy  skirmishing,  prior  to  the  31st,  success 
attended  every  movement  of  the  Tnion  armv.  The 
heavy  fighting  of  the  early  part  of  the  31st  was  all 
in  Bragg's  favor  up  to  the  time  his  advance  was 
checked  by  our  center  and  the  new  line  on  the 
right.  From  that  time  to  the  occupation  of  Mur- 
freesboro,  every  movement  resulted  in  favor  of  the 
army  under  Rosecrans,  and  the  retreat  of  Bra»'g, 
after  the  defeat  of  Breckinridge,  gave  the  halo  of 
victory  to  our  army  as  the  result  of  the  campaign. 
In  his  retreat  Bragg  admitted  that  he  had  gained 
nothing  but  a  victory  barren  of  results,  at  a  cost 
to  him  of  10,125  killed,  wounded  and  missing, 
9,000  of  whom  were  killed  and  wounded — over 
twenty  pel'  cent,  of  his  command.  Bragg's  tie  Id 
return  of  December  10,  18I52,  shows  an  effective 
total  of  51,036,  composed  of  39,304  infantry,  10,070 
cavalry,  and  l,l)<>2  artillery.  This  included  the 
forces  of  Morgan  and  Forest,  who  were  at  this 
time  absent  raiding  through  Kentucky.  These 
commands  numbered  5,<>38.  This  taken  from 
Bragg's  total  leaves  46,604,  which  was  the  strength 
of  the  army  with  which  Bragg  fought  the  battle 
of  Stone  River.  General  Rosecrans'  force  on  the 
battle-field  was  :  Infantry,  37,977  ;  artillery,  2,223  ; 
cavalry,  3,200;  total,  43,400— just  3,204  less  than 
Bragg's  army  contained.  The  loss  in  the  Union 
army  was;  Killed,  1,553;  wounded,  7,245:  and 
the  rebels  captured  2,800  men.  This  makes  a 
total  loss  to  the  Union  armv  of  11,598,  or  about 


190  HISTOHY    OF    THE    SIXTH    KKOIMKV1  . 

one-fourth  of  our  entire  army  in  the  tight.  Uosc- 
erans  lost  twenty-eight  pieces  of  artillery  and  a 
large  portion  of  his  wagon  train.  Bragg  h>st  only 
three  pieces  of  artillery. 

The   record   shows   no  officers   of  the   Sixth    In-  . 
diana  killed  or  wounded  in  the  hattle  at  Murfrees- 
boro,  while    the   killed,   wounded    and  raptured   in 
the  regiment  during  this  hattle  are  as  follows: 

COMPANY    "A." 

George   A.   IJenatield.  killed   December  31,   l<sr>:2. 
Dow  ronway.  killed  December  31.  1862. 
William  T.  Ellis,  killed  December  31.  18i>:>. 
•James   Stevenson,  wounded    and   died    February 
5,  18(53. 


Seeley  .fayne.  killed    December  31,  18<!± 
William  Jolly,  killed   December  31.  18l>:>. 
.las.  S.  Kitts.  wounded  and  discharged  Novem 
ber  4.  1803. 

.las.  T.  Shewmakcr,  killed  December  31.  18<>:>. 
Benjamin  F.  Simpson,  killed  December  31. 


Enos  Clark,  killed   December  31,  18H2. 

•las.  \\'.  Dunlap.  wounded  and  discharged  June 
0,  181)3. 

Uobei't  C.  ( Jiiy,  wounded  and  discharged  April 
17,  1803. 

Ira  Roberts,  killed  December  31.  1S02. 


THK    SIXTH    INDIANA    AND    HER    LOSSES.  191 


David  B.  Simonton,  wouoded  and  died  .January, 
1868. 

Samuel  S.  Stnll,  killed   December  81,  1862. 

COMPANY     "D." 

William  (Y>nway,  captured  and  died  in  prison, 
February  25,  18(33. 

Jonathan  Eades,  wounded  and  discharged  Octo 
ber  27,  1863. 

Casper  AV.  Land,  wounded  and  discharged  July 
27,  1863. 

William  Wallace,  wounded  and  discharged  Sep 
tember  22,  1864. 

John  "W.  Long,  wounded  and  discharged  Feb 
ruary  1,  1865. 


Lost  none  killed,  wounded  or  captured. 

COMPANY    u  P." 

Elijah  C.  Bailey,  wounded  and  died  January  16, 
1863. 

COMPANY    "  G." 

Alexander  Bradford,  wounded  and  died  Febru 
ary  16,  1863. 

James  Iveav,  killed  December  31,  1862. 

Gideon  Powell,  wounded  and  transferred  to  68th 
Regiment. 


192  HISTORY    OK    THE    HXTII     K  K<  J I  M  KNT. 

COMPANY    "  II." 

Kohert  Chillis,  wounded  ami  discharged  A]»ril 
27,  1863. 

.James  II.  Earl,  killed    Decemher  :J1.  1S62. 

.lames  F.  Fish,  wounded  and  transferred,  V.  K. 
('..  XoviMiibor  29,  18iW. 

John  W.  Shar}>,  killed  Decvinher  :-51,  1S62. 

Adolph  Cotton,  wounded  and  discharged  March 
19,*1863. 

cn.Ml'ANV    "I." 

Lost  none  killed,  wounded  or  captured. 

COMPANY    k*  K." 

John  Bri'ese,  \vonnde<l  slightly. 
•  lames  K.  Castner,  \\-onnded  seYerdv. 
John  \V.  Hyatt,  killed  Decemher  31,  1862. 
Joliu  F.  Harrell,  killed  Deeemher  :}1,  1SU2. 
Lemon  W.  Jackson, wounded  and  died  Fehrnary 
1:5,  18<i:-J. 

Kd\\"ard  McVey.  killed  Dect'inher  :J1.  1S62. 

Here  we-  have  a  loss  to  the  regiment  of  sixteen 
killed,  seventeen  wounded,  and  one  captured — 
making  a  total  loss  of  thirty-four  men — and  a  fur 
ther  examination  will  show  that  all  this  was  done 
on  Deeemher  31st,  and  in  the  short  time  of  tifteen 
01-  twcntv  minutes.  The  Sixth  hoys  will  remeni- 
her  that  our  hritrade  was  on  dutv  hack  at  General 


BRAVE    AND    DARIN*  J    HA  I /I)  WIN    AND    TRIP  I*.  1^3 

K.  W.  .Johnson's  headquarters,  which  was  nearly 
a  inik'  and  a  lialf  iu-the  rear  of  the  balance  of  our 
division. 

Tliey  will  also  Fenfi&ttiber  that  st rapiers  coming 
/><•'//  nn'll  to  the  rear  was  the  first  intimation  we 
had  of  the  terrible  disaster  to  our  right.  It  was 
by  the  most  rapid  and  quick  work,  as  well  as  the 
splendid  military  ability  of  our  brave  and  daring 
Baldwin  and  Tripp,  that  we  got  in  line  and  was 
readv  to  meet  the  victorious  foe,  who  were  sweep 
ing  on  through  the  cedar  wood,  apparently  with 
out  any  opposition,  after  our  retreating  and 
shattered  ranks.  How  we  rained  the  leaden  hail 
into  their  dense  columns  as  they  approached  us, 
which  made  them  waver,  and  finally  checked  them, 
and  would  have  sent  them  to  the  rear  again  but 
for  the  fact  that  they  overlapped  our  right,  which 
was  entirely  unprotected,  and  with  many  times 
our  number.  And,  heavens!  how  we  got  to  the 
rear  when  we  started,  and  it  was  well  that  we 
started  when  we  did,  as  a  ten  minutes"  longer  stay 
would  have  given  many  of  us  a  trip  down  South 
for  the  winter,  and,  perhaps,  for  all  time  to  come, 
as  we  may  have  met  the  fate  of  poor  AVilliam 
Conway,  who  was  captured,  and  died  in  prison 
the  following  February. 

The  soldierly  bearing,  and  cool,  deliberate  con- 
duet  of  Colonel  P.  1*.  Baldwin,  in  handling  his 
brigade'  on  this  occasion  should  have'  won  for  him 
the  title  of  "General,"'  as  he  certainly  deserved 
promotion,  and  no  more  so  than  our  own  dear 
13 


MM  IIISTOHV    OF   Till;    SIXTH    Kl  <    I  M  I  NI 

Colonel  II.  Tripp,  whose  bravery  ami  courage  <»u 
that  day  stumped  him  as  a  in.!--  -Hi'i  commander 

Well    \\«'illi\    tin-   ('Li.  «•   lit*   occupied,  and    «-.ipal»le  (if 

a  inilt'l)  higher  poaition.      hi  fact.hoth  ••lli«-«-r-  and 

in. -n   of  the    old    Sixth    :i.  .jinl  h-il    llieiiiM'lves    nohly 

in  this  cii-jiiL1'  in«  ni .  Hut.  straiijuv  an  it  may  si'fin, 
sonic  laughable  things  happen  <»n  iln--  .|u,i. 
franioiiH,  and  HOIIIC  nf  the  !M»VH  to  thin  day 
heartily  (i\cr  a  little  ailair  that  took  place 
wlifii  we  were  tall'mif  hack  that  day.  Tin-  Captain 
of  ('oinpaiiy  — .  of  (Mir  regiment,  complained  ««f 
I'ein-j  ((tiite  lame  from  rheiimatiHin,  so  much  so 
that  he  could  scarcely  nd  alon^f  even  with  ili«  as- 
sishince  of  a  lill'L»'c  eaile  which  he  h:id  i-arr'n-d  all 
da\.  In  the  scramhle  for  life  of  death  \\heli  \\  e 
starte(l  f(»r  the  rear,  it  \\a>,  for  ;i  fc\\  minntt's, 
"every  fellou  for  himself,"  and  our  rheumatic 
Captain  had  Keen  lost  si«rht  of  for  the  time  hrinjj. 
Hut  just  as  we  \\t-re  getting  out  of  the  \\ooiU,  ami 
had  struck  the  c«ljjr  nt'  a  lar^c  tield  directly  in  our 
front,  one  of  his  hoys  wan  hoard  to  rail  out  :  M\ 
<iod!  look  yonder  at  Captain  — .  ir<»ini:  across 
the  li.-l.l.  he  is  just  tom-hiliir  the  hi.ufh  places." 
It  i>  not  entirel\  the  ohject  of  such  a  work  us 

this     to    givr     the    whole     moVeincliI     o|      the    entire 

army,  nor  a  full  and  complete  description  of  a 
hattlo  of  such  ufi^antic  proportions  as  the  one 
toiiirht  here  at  MiirfVwriliom.  Still.  I  think  I  have 
IM-I-H  siitticieiitly  minute  to  -ji\  ••  the  reader  a  tolcr- 
ahly  idea  of  the  hattle.  as  \\ell  a>  the  part  taken 
in  it  hv  our  regiment.  Nearlv  all  the  Hifhtinu 


\\  I!     M»)\K     INTO     Ml    i;i   III   I  "-IIOKO.  1 5>f) 

done  after  tin-  lirst    dav,  (lull   is  after  heeember  -H , 

\\  ;i>  done  b\  Orittenden's  Corps,  which  was  hardly 

considered  in  tin1  flight  ill  nil  nn  the  .'Ust.  This  nj' 
course  kept  mil-  division  mi  the  reserve,  and,  in 
fact,  nni  of  auy  other  not  eiiffatfemcuts  for  the  hal- 

JHICC  nf   1  lie  liii'lil . 

Thf  c:i  vjilrv,  MS  well  us  Home  other  rttnall  del  iidi 
in. -in  -.  li.cl  preceded  liiin.  Imt  on  iln-  r>tli  (icncrid 
Thomas,  with  liis  \\-lmle  (.'Oiuniaud,  inarched  int«t 
Murfreesboro  ;md  \\ciii  into  <  .imp  on  the  M.m 
Chester  mid  Shelbyville  Unjid.  This  \\'ns  followed 
hv  other  «-oiiiin;inds  until  tin-  whole  :innv  \\ent 
siiiiii'lv  into  winhT  <|ii;irtei's  on  the  exnel  premises 
\vhere  Bru^tf  hiid  ejirelnll\  sto\\cd  ji\\'jiv  his  ju'iny 
for  the  winter  only  n  short  time  before.  Our 
brigttde  found  <|ii!irters  nenr  Stone  Iliver,  JUHJ  :i 
little  SOUthwest  nf  M  n  rfreeshol'o  iilld  het\Veen  the 
t<»\\n  and  river;  ;ind  im\\  tlnit  \\  e  are  sniiii'lx' 
tucked  a \\  a \  in  w i nl er  <j liar! ers,  \\ c  <-a n  think  hack 
over  the  verv  eventful  week  just  past,  and  indeed 
it  is  difficult  in  determine  which  tn  admire  the 

more,  (he  heavy.  «|iiiek,  dceide(|  onset  of  tin- 
rehels,  as  \N'ith  ranks  well  elosed  up,  \\"itlmiil 
inusi<',  and  alinnsl  noiselessU',  the\  nmved  in  lh<- 

ii'rav  liii'ht  of  the  earlv  December  tnorning,  oul  «»f 
t  he  (M-dars,  across  the  open  fields,  hurling  1  lie  lull 
weifirht  of  their  Rdvaiicinfif  columns  upon  our  right 

with  all  t  he  da>h  of  Son  t  hern  I  r<  tops,  s  wee  pi  no1  on 
with  rapid  stride,  and  wild  veils  of  triumph,  to 
wluit  appeared  t<»  them  an  eas\  final  victory;  or, 

later  in  the   afternoon,  when   our   troops,  that    had 


If  Mi  HISTORY    OF    Till-:    >I\  TH     Kl  •<  i  IM  KNT. 

been  driven  from  the  tield  earlv  in  the  morning, 
were  re-formed  under  the  eye  ot  the  commanding 
General,  met  and  threw  hack  from  the  point  of  the 
bayonet,  and  from  the  cannon  month,  the  charge 
after  charge  of  the  same  victorious  troops  of  the 
earlier  portion  of  the  day.  (  hie  was  like  the  re 
sistless  sweep  of  the  whirlwind  in  its  onward 
course  of  destruction,  the  other  the  irrand.  sturdy 
resistance  of  the  rocky  coast,  which  the-  waves  only 
rush  upon  to  he  dashed  to  pieces.  In  each  of  these 
the  two  armies  displayed  their  distinctive  features 
to  the  best,  but  the  cool,  deliberate,  staving  <juali- 
ties  of  the  Tnion  Cienerals  were  never  shown  up 
to  a  better  advantage  than  in  the  battle  of  Stone 
River. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

IN    MUEFBEESBOKO   AND    RESTING    UP. 

Half  rations — Potatoes  a  luxury — Repairing  the  railroad — The 
accidental  shooting  of  Lieut.  Holcomb — Bragg  lakes  position 
at  Shelbyville  and  Tullahoma — Our  army  reorganized — Plans 
for  the  Tullahoma  campaign — The  forward  movement  ordered 
— The  Sixth  Indiana  broke  camp  June  24— The  boys  anxious 
to  go — Our  beautiful  tented  city  goes  down — We  march  for 
Liberty  Gap — Our  position  and  the  part  we  took — The  heroic 
deeds  of  the  Sixth  Indiana— What  it  takes  to  make  a  good 
soldier — The  darkest  cloud  has  a  silver  lining — Lord  save,  or 
we  perish — The  light  begins  to  dawn — Our  army  closing  in 
around  Tullahoma  -The  pressure  too  great  for  Bragg — Again 
he  retreats— Tired  and  weary  we  go  into  camp  in  Tullahoma 
— A  short  but  brilliant  campaign — Western  Tennessee  cleared 
of  armed  rebels— Hood  went  up  to  see  Thomas — But  he  left 
before  dinner. 

During  the  first  six  mouths  of  1 868  the  military 
operations  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  were 
of  a  minor  character.  The  exhaustion  attending 
the  severe  fighting  of  the  last  week  of  the  previous 
year  kept  that  army  in  camp  for  some  time,  to  re 
store  the  losses  of  arms  and  material,  to  reclothe 
the  army,  to  recruit  the  strength  of  the  troops,  to 
forward  the  needed  supplies,  and  to  build  the 
necessary  works  to  fortify  Miirfreeshoro  as  a  new 
base. 


HISTORY    OF    THK    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

repair  of  tin*  most  complete  wrecking  the 
Louisville  Road  ever  suffered  demanded  Rosecrans' 

attention  the  first  tiling  after  tlie  battle  of  Stone 
River.  When  tlie  army  left  Nashville  on  tlie  ad 
vance  to  meet  Bragg  the  supplies  in  that  city  were 
very  limited.  With  the'  disabling  of  the  road  it 
was  impossible  at  that  time  to  forward  sufficient 
supplies  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  command,  ami 
for  the  first  tew  weeks  while  the  army  remained  at 
Mnrfreeshoro  the  troops  were  on  half  rations,  and 
many  of  the  articles  constituting  the  "ration  * 
entirely  dispensed  with,  leaving  hut  three  or  four 
on  the  list.  The  surrounding  country  for  miles 
was  scoured  for  forage  and  provisions.  Every 
thing  of  that  kind  was  gathered  in  by  raiding 
parties,  not  leaving  sufficient  for  the  actual  necessi 
ties  of  the  inhabitants.  To  such  an  extent  did 
this  go  that  to  the  officers  with  means  to  purchase 
such  provisions  as  were  to  he  had  potatoes  and 
onions  became  luxuries.  But  the  railroad  was 
soon  repaired  and  the  supplies  necessary  for  the 
comfort  of  the  army  were  issued,  to  the  great 
delight  and  satisfaction  of  tlie  boys,  and  for  nearly 
six  months  it  was  "go  on  picket"  to-day,  and 
"drill"  to-morrow,  with  inspection  of  arms  on 
Sunday  for  a  change.  Many  things  occurred  in 
the1  old  Sixth  during  these  six  months  that  will  be 
remembered  by  the  boys  as  long  as  they  remember 
•anything.  One  was  the  presentation  of  a  sword 
to  Colonel  Baldwin  by  the  officers  of  the  regiment. 
Another  was  the  accidental  shooting  of  Lieutenant 


ACCIDENTAL   SHOOTINtJ    OF    LIEUT.    IIOLCOMB.  199 

Jerome  P.  Holeomb,  of  Company  G,  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  12th  of  May,  by  a  s<|iia<l  of  nu'ii  who 
had  just  come  off  of  picket  duty  and  was  ordered 
to  go  to  a  certain  spot  near  the  river  and  fire  oft* 
their  guns  in  a  brushy  thicket,  just  at  a  time  when 
Lieutenant  Holcomb  was  passing  on  the  opposite 
side1.  He  received  the  full  force  of  a  ball  in  a  vital 
part  of  the  body  and  lived  only  a  few  hours. 
Lieutenant  Holcomb  was  buried  with  the  honors 
of  war  in  the  military  cemetery  near  Murfreesboro. 

On  Bragg' s  retreating  from  Murfreesboro  he 
took  position  with  a  portion  of  his  armv  and  es 
tablished  his  headquarters  at  Shelbyville.  He  then 
ordered  part  of  his  command  to  move  to  Tnlla- 
homa  and  there  entrench,  throwing  up  extensive 
earthworks  and  fortifications.  Later  he  placed  his 
troops  in  winter  quarters. 

Some  important  events  took  place  during  the 
first  six  months  of  18<J3  that  had  a  bearing  on  the 
fortunes  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  On 
January  9,  in  recognition  of  the  services  of  that 
army,  by  General  Order  Xo.  9  of  War  Department, 
that  command  was  reorganized  and  the  center, 
right  and  left  were  constituted  the  army  corps 
designated  as  the  Fourteenth,  Twentieth  and 
Twenty -first  Corps,  under  the  same  old  command 
ers,  while  to  General  Kosecrans  was  committed 
the  care  and  control  of  the  entire  army  as  com- 
mander-in -chief. 

During  the  early  part  of  June  Genera]  Rose- 
cran's  commenced  placing  liis  troops  in  position 


200  IIISTOKY  or  THE  SIXTH   m;< . I.M i:\  i 

preparatory  to  a  general  advance.  JIc  organized 
n  reserve  corps  from  tin*  various  smaller  com 
mands  ordered  up  from  tin-  rear  and  placed  it 
under  the  command  of  General  K.  S.  Grander, 
and  about  the  _->d  of  June  Uosecrans.  having 
made  all  necessary  arrangements  for  his  command 
according  to  his  plans,  and  learning  of  the  favor 
able  prospects  at  Yickshurg  and  of  the  movement 
of  the  force  under  Hurnside  into  East  Tennessee 
to  take  and  hold  Ivnoxville,  issued  the  necessary 
orders  for  the  advance  of  his  army  on  that  of  the 
enemy. 

TIIK   ADYAXCK  ox   TTLI.AIIO.MA. 

in  .lune,  IStio,  General  Brad's  army  was  occu 
pying  a  strong  position  north  of  Duck  River.  His 
infantry  front  extended  from  Shelbyville  to  War- 
trace,  and  his  cavalry  rested  at  McMinnville  on 
his  right,  and  Spring  Hill  and  Columbia  on  his 
left.  Gem-nil  Polk's  corps  was  at  Shelbyville, 
having  a  r«l<m  line  covered  with  abatis  in  trout. 
A  detac-hment  from  it  was  thrown  forward  to 
Guy's  Gap.  General  llardee's  corps  held  Hoo 
ver's,  Liberty  and  Bellbuckle  Gaps.  C'hatta- 
nooii'a  was  tlie  l»ase.  and  Tullahoma  was  the  t-hief 
depot  of  supplies. 

General  Uosecrans  determined  to  concentrate 
the  corps  of  Generals  Thomas,  McCook  and  (1rit- 
tenden  on  the  enemy's  right,  covering  this  move 
ment  by  a  feint  upon  his  left,  with  Gem-nil  Gran 
ger's  corps  and  the  main  portion  of  his  cavalry. 


PLANS    FOR    THE    TULLAIIOMA    CAMPAIGN.  201 


The  execution  of  this  plan  was  commenced  on  the 
2-)d  of  June  by  the1  advance  of  Granger's  corps. 
The  enemy's  position  was  well  chosen  for  either 
defense  or  retreat.  He  had  in  his  front  a  range  of 
hills,  rough  and  rocky,  through  whose  depressions, 
called  gaps,  the  main  roads  to  the  south  passed. 
These  gaps  were  held  by  strong  detachments, 
with  heavy  columns  within  supporting  distance. 
Such  was  the  strength  of  the  position  at  Shelby  - 
ville  that  General  Rosecrans  anticipated  stubborn 
resistance  should  he  attack  it,  and  in  the  event  of 
success  in  assaults,  the  enemy  could  cover  his  re 
treat,  having  a  route  to  his  rear  easily  defended. 
He  therefore  proposed  to  turn  General  Bragg's 
right,  and,  avoiding  his  entrenchments  at  Shelby  - 
ville  altogether,  provoke  a  battle  on  ground  of  his 
own  selection,  or  force  him  to  retreat  on  a  disad 
vantageous  liite. 

This  purpose  involved  the  necessity  of  forcing 
the  advanced  forces  from  the  gaps  from  the  left  to 
the  right  of  the  main  position.  The  movement  of 
troops  to  Triune  had  been  made  to  create  the  be 
lief  that  a  direct  attack  would  be  made  upon 
Hhelbyville,  and  now,  in  the  actual  advance  of  his 
army,  Rosecrans  endeavored  to  keep  up  this  im 
pression.  For  this  object,  General  Mitchell,  com 
manding  the  tirst  cavalry  division,  moved  forward 
from  Triune,  and  drove  back  the  enemy's  cavalry 
upon  his  infantry  line.  General  Rosecrans  also 
demonstrated  with  his  cavalry  from  his  left,  and 
sent  an  infantry  force  to  Woodbury,  that  the 


202  HISTOHY    OF    THE    SIXTH     i;K<;  I  M  KN T. 

enemy  might  regard  those  movements  as  a  feint 
to  divert  attention  from  the  direct  attack  upon 
Shelhyville.  The  same  day,  .June  23,  General 
Granger's  corps  moved  from  Triune  to  Salem. 
The  next  day  the  \vholo  army  was  in  motion.  Tile 
24th  day  of  June,  18t5--J,  will  he  remembered  hv 
the  members  of  the  old  Sixth  Regiment  as  lonsf  as 
there  is  one  of  them  left  to  tell  the  tale. 

The  orders  to  "strike  tents  and  he  readv  to 
march  at  a  moment's  notice,"  was  received  early  in 
the  morning.  This  meant  business  and  we  were 
well  aware  of  it :  such  orders  were  not  unexpected  : 
we  knew  they  would  come  and  were  anxious  to 
receive  them. 

We  had  laid  around  in  camp  for  the  past  six 
months  and  were  tired  to  deatli  "doing  nothing;'' 
we  were  simply  rusting  our  lives  away,  to  what 
seemed  to  us,  no  purpose.  Rations  of  course  had 
got  plentiful,  and  inactivity  had  produced  scurvy, 
indigestion  and  gout.  Xo  wonder,  indeed,  that 
the  orders  to  "strike  tents"  were  received  with 
universal  joy  throughout  the  Armv  of  the  Cum 
berland:  and  in  less  than  two  hours  from  the  re 
ceipt  of  these  orders,  our  beautiful  "  Tented  Citv*' 
looked  like  a  cyclone  had  struck  it.  The  great 
white  tents  had  been  torn  down,  folded  up  and 
were  ready  to  be  loaded  into  the  transportation 
wagons.  Each  soldier  bad  his  knapsack  packed 
and  ready  to  strap  on  his  back  at  a  moment's  warn 
ing.  His  haversack  was  full  to  the  brim,  while 


WAITING    FOR    THE    ORDER    TO    "FALL    IN."  203 

his  cartridge-box  contained  forty  rounds  of  am 
munition.  Thus  prepared  the  hoys  wore  waiting 
patiently  for  the  orders  to  "fall  in,"  and  I  am  not 
sure  that  the  thoughts  of  some  did  not  linger 
around  the  old  camp  scenes,  and  "  heave  a  sigh"  at 
having  to  hid  farewell  forever,  to  the  dear  old 
camp  we  had  taken  so  much  pains  to  beautify,  for 
our  camp,  as  well  as  our  streets,  were  laid  out  with 
as  much  precision,  as  though  a  Government  en 
gineer  had  done  the  work  ;  the  streets  were1  all 
nicely  graded  and  rounded  up  in  the1  center.  They 
were  policed  and  not  only  kept  clean  of  any  offal 
from  the  tents,  but  swept  as  clean  as  a  parlor  floor 
every  morning;  in  fact,  the  most  rigid  discipline 
and  cleanliness  was  observed  ;  situated  as  our  camp 
was  on  the  banks  of  the  beautiful  Stone  River, 
and  that  too  during  the  most  lovely  season  of  the 
vear;  the  boys  of  the  old  Sixth  will  loiii>-  remember 

t/  t/  i 

the  many  times  we  have  strolled  up  and  down  its 
clear,  rippling  waters  in  search  of  mussel  or  clam 
shells;  out  of  which  we  used  to  make  finger  rings, 
watch  charms,  as  well  as  many  other  ornaments, 
which  we  sent  to  loved  ones  at  home.  This  day 
my  wife  has  a  finger  ring,  I  made  of  a  shell  gath 
ered  from  the  gravelly  shores  of  Stone  River,  and 
sent  her  in  1862,  or  twenty-eight  years  ago.  All 
these  and  many  more  might  be  mentioned  to  revive 
fond  recollections  of  the  old  camp  at  Stone  River. 
The  bugle  sounded  the  "fall  in"  about  noon  as 
we  fell  in  line  and  started  on  the  Tullahoma  cam 
paign. 


204  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    W-KJIMKNT. 

General  MeCook's  (1orp>  advanced  toward  Lil»- 
eity  Gap.  He  started  on  the  Shelby  ville  turnpike, 

l)iit  the  divisions  at  different  points  defieeted  to 
Millershurir,  where  Sheridan's  and  I>avis'  divi 
sions  Bivouacked  at  ni^lit,  while  Johnson  a<lvaneed 
to  tlie  Gap  (tlie  Sixth  Regiment  was  in  Johnson's 
division)  . 

Liberty  (Jap  is  a  narrow  passage  hetween  two 
hiii'h  ranges  of  mountains,  which  it'  resolutely  de 
fended  hy  a  thousand  men,  could  he  held  against 
ten  times  the  nuniher.  Our  troops  moved  gal 
lantly  forward  and  drove  the  enemy  through,  and 
beond  the  <ia.  and  encamed  therein  during  the 


g  the  ni^ht  the  enemy  was  reinforced, 
and  a«i*ain  offered  battle,  which  we  accepted.  The 
tiii'litiiiii1  the  day  het'ore  was  by  our  division,  hut 
on  the  second  day  ('arlin's  brigade  was  sent  to  the 
front.  lie  met  with  a  most  stubborn  resistance. 
hut  finally  succeeded  in  repulsing  the  enemy  and 
scut  them  in  a  hurry  up  the  r.n^ed  pass  wav. 

Durinir  the  conflict  at  Liberty  Gap,  General 
Thomas  was  pushing  tlie  enemy  at  Hoover's  (.-Jap, 
through  which  passed  the  Manchester  pike.  At 
the-  same  time  the  I'nion  forces  that  went  down 
the  railroad  toward  Shelby  ville,  which  was  Ural's 
hest  fortified  point,  had  made  it  very  clear  to  Bra^'u* 
that  they,  too,  meant  to  do  him  mischief,  and 
should  receive  a  share  of  his  attention. 

While  it  is  not  the  aim  of  this  little  work  to  ifive 
all  the  movements  of  the  entire  armv,  vet  in  order 


DESCRIPTION    BY    IIKNKY    M.    CIST.  205 

to  moiv  properly  show  the  part  our  own  regiment 
took  in  the  matter,  I  must  also  show  where  our 
briga-de  and  division  operated,  and  what  part  they 
took  in  the  campaign,  and  I  can  do  this  no  hotter 
than  to  quote  from  General  IFenrv  M.  Cist,  who 
says  that  ". Johnson's  division  was  advanced  up  to 
Liberty  (Jap,  with  the  Thirty-ninth  Indiana,  under 
Colonel  Harrison,  thrown  forward  to  skirmish. 
Harrison  developed  the  enemy  in  front  of  the  (-hip. 
Willich's  brigade  was  moved  forward  and  drove 
the  skirmishers  in  the  rebel  front  back  upon  their 
main  line,  placed  on  the  crest  of  the-  hills  on  each 
side  of  the  entrance  to  the  Gap.  Here  the  enemy 
was  too  strongly  posted  to  attack  his  front.  An 
other  brigade,  under  Colonel  John  F.  Miller,  who 
had  been  transferred  to  Johnson's  division,  was 
then  brought  forward.  These  two  brigades  were 
at  once  deployed  in  line,  making  a  front  of  such 
length  as  to  envelop  both  flanks  of  the  enemy's 
line,  and  advancing,  these  brigades  gallantly  drove 
the  rebels  through  the  defile,  a  distance  of  two 
miles.  After  clearing  the  Gap  the  troops  returned 
to  the  north  end  of  it  and  there  bivouacked.  On 
the  following  day,  late  in  the  afternoon,  an  attack 
was  made  on  Willich's  and  Miller's  brigades,  to 
drive  them  out  of  the  north  end  of  the  Gap.  John 
son's  failure  to  hold  the  southern  entrance  enabled 
the  enemy  again  to  enter  it,  and  to  secure  it  entirely 
they  made1  this  attack.  The  engagement  opened 
with  a  heavv  fire  on  the  center  of  the  command, 


20tt  I1I>TOIJY    OF    THK    SIXTH     KK<;IMKM. 

the  enemy  attacking  in  torn.'.  They  were  hand 
somely  repulsed.  Reaewiug  tlie  attack  Hardee 
then  endeavored  to  secure  position  on  the  hills  to 
the  right  and  left  so  as  to  command  Johnson's 
Hanks  with  his  tire,  hut  each  movement  was  met 
by  Johnson's  troops,  supported  by  Carliu's  brigade, 
and  every  attack  was  repulsed.  Beaten  at  every 
point,  late  in  the  evening  the  enemy  withdrew  en 
tirely,  taking  position  at  Bellbuckle.  The  fighting 
at  Liberty  Gap  was  the  most  severe,  so  far,  of  the 
campaign,  and  in  this  attack  Johnson's  command, 
including  ('arlin's  brigade,  lost  two  hundred  and 
thirty-one  killed  and  wounded.  The  enemy's  loss 
was  still  greater." 

The  plans  of  the  enemy  not  being  yet  fully  de 
veloped,  and  in  view  of  the  uncertainty  that  existed 
whether  he  would  fall  on  McCook's  front,  or  mass 
on  Thomas  near  Fairtield,  Rosecrans  issued  the 
following  order : 

"General  Crittenden  to  advance  to  Lannan  s 
Stand,  six  miles  oast  of  Beech  Grove,  and  open 
communications  with  (General  Thomas.  General 
Thomas  to  attack  the  rebels  on  the  tiank  of  his 
advance  position  at  the  forks  of  the  road,  and  drive 
the  rebels  toward  Fairtield.  General  McCook  to 
feign  and  advance,  as  if  in  force,  on  the  \Vartraee 
road  by  the  Liberty  Gap  passes." 

The  members  of  the  old  Sixth  can  now  sec  why 
we  were-  kept  up  in  Liberty  <Jap  so  long.  The 
truth  is  that  we  were  waiting  for  Thomas  to  exe 
cute  certain  orders.  He  was  to  attack  the  rebels 


WHAT    IT    TAKES    To    MAKK    A    SOLDIEK.  2<>7 

on  their  right  Hank,  and  if  he  succeeded  in  driving 
thorn  toward  YTartrace,  he  was  then  to  cover  that 
road  with  a  division,  and  taking  the  remainder  of 
his  troops  was  to  move  rapidly  on  Manchester. 
McCook  was  then  to  move  in  and  take  Thomas1 
place  at  Beech  Grove,  holding  Liberty  Gap  with  a 
division,  which  was  ours,  and  was  finally  to  with 
draw  that  and  follow  Thomas  with  his  entire  com 
mand  to  Manchester. 

Thomas  was  entirely  successful  in  driving  the 
enemy  beyond  the  Wartrace  road,  and  this,  of 
course,  called  them  away  from  our  front  and  made 
our  presence  up  in  the  gap  no  longer  necessary, 
and,  in  order  to  get  with  the  balance  of  our  corps, 
we  had  to  retrace  our  steps  down  the  gap  and 
strike  out  for  Manchester. 

But,  before  we  leave  this  gap,  I  will  say  that, 
notwithstanding  the  Sixth  Indiana  took  an  active 
part  in  the  very  severe  skirmishing  necessary  to 
drive  the  rebels  from  their  hiding  places  among 
the  cliffs  and  rugged  surface  of  this  mountainous 
region,  the  boys  did  their  work  so  well  that  they 
got  through  without  the  loss  of  a  man  either 
killed  or  wounded.  Not  every  man  is  suitable  to 
send  on  the  skirmish  line.  lie  should  not  only  be 
thoroughly  drilled  in  the  art  of  war,  but  brave 
and  courageous,  yet  cautious  as  a  t-nt.  The  Sixth 
Indiana  was  composed  of  just  such  men.  Our 
regiment  was  not  only  well  drilled  in  the  various 
movements,  but  a  braver  lot  of  boys  was  not  in 
the  service  than  the  old  Sixth.  Thev  shrunk  no 


JON  HISTORY    OF    Till:    SIXTH     KI-:<  i  IM  KNT. 

danger  when  duty  called  <>n  them  to  act.  Cautious. 
prudent,  brave  boys.  I  always  felt  safe,  no  matter 
how  hard  or  dangerous  the  task,  when  the  old 
Sixth  went  to  the  front.  It  was  the  Sixth  regi 
ment  that  was  called  on  to  defend  our  battery  at 
Shiloh,  and  at  the  critical  moment  charged  the  en 
emy,  sending  them  whirling  to  the  rear,  and  turned 
the  tide  of  battle  in  our  favor,  resulting  in  a  great 
victory.  It  was  the  Sixth  Indiana  that  held  her 
place  in  line  against  the  heavily  massed  charging 
rebel  forces  in  the  open  field,  on  the  evening  of 
the  first  day  at  Chickamanga,  sending  the  rebels 
to  the  rear  again  when  our  own  troops,  both  on 
our  right  and  left,  g'ave  way  and  passed  to  the  rear 
a  half  mile.  The  Sixth  Indiana  is  one  of  the  very 
few  regiments  that  held  the  post  assigned  her  on 
morning  of  the  second  at  rhiekamaiiga,  although 
oiii'  position  was  charged  many  times.  The  onlv 
rebels  that  ever  reached  our  temporary  works  <>t 
defense  were  those  foolish  enough  to  charge  up  so 
close  that  it  was  certain  death  to  try  to  get  back, 
and  were  forced  to  come  in  as  prisoners.  The 
Sixth  Regiment  held  her  position  throughout  th«' 
entire  day,  tailing  back  only  in  obedience  to  orders 
received  late  in  the  day. 

It  was  the  old  Sixtli  that  was  placed  on  the  front 
line  in  the  capture  of  Brown's  Ferry,  and  while 
she  did  her  work  well,  it  was  at  the  expense  of  one 
oth'cer  killed,  Lieut,  (i.  B.  (Jreen,  of  Cn.  K,  and 
one  other  man  killed,  aud  three  men  captured,  who 


THE    SIXTH    I'LACKD    (>N    THE    FRONT    LINE.  2(W 

Afterwards  died  in  rebel  prisons  south.  The  rap 
ture  of  Brown's  Ferry  was  a  bold,  daring,  dan 
gerous  feat,  but  it  was  a  complete  success,  and 
opened  up  what  the  boys  called  a  u  cracker  line" 
to  the  almost  starving  army. 

The  Sixth  Indiana  was  one  of  the  regiments 
placed  on  the  front  line  in  the  storming  party  at 
Missionary  Ridge,  and  in  the  face  of  shot  and 
shell,  tfnd  a  shower  of  minnie  balls,  she  went  to  the 
top  of  the  hill  with  the  bound  and  spring  of  a 
tiger,  and  planted  the  stars  and  stripes  on  the 
rebel  works,  while  the  smoke  was  still  hissing  from 
their  red-hot  cannon  that  belched  death  and  de 
struction  at  us  as  we  went  up  the  hill.  But  why 
should  I  dwell  upon  the  deeds  of  heroism  and 
bravery  of  this  grand  old  regiment?  Its  history 
is  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  war  for  the  Union, 
and  one  that  its  members  may  well  feel  proud  of, 
and  one  which  their  friends  and  relatives  need  not 
be  ashamed  of.  But  there  are  other  qualities 
which  are  just  as  essential  in  the  make-up  of  good 
soldiers  as  are  those  of  bravery  and  heroism,  and 
they  are  such  as  putiem-e  and  potrcr*  of  en<ltir<ui<-<', 
and  right  here,  before  we  leave  Liberty  Gap,  is  as 
good  a  chance  as  I  shall  ever  have  to  show  up 
these  last  two  named  qualities  in  the  proper  light. 

We  left  Murfreesboro  and  started  on  the  Tulla- 
lioina  campaign  the  24th  day  of  June,  soon  after 
dinner.  We  had  gone  only  a  short  distance  when 
it  began  to  rain,  and  it  not  only  rained  every  day, 
hut  it  seemed  to  me  ever  hour  from  that  time  on 


210  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    KE< ;  l.M  KNT. 

ii|»  until  ahout  tlu1  third  dav  of  .July.  It  rained 
so  much  and  so  hard  that  wo  ceased  to  regard  it  a 
matter  of  any  consequence,  and  siniplv  stood  up 
and  took  it,  without  attempting  to  seek  shelter  or 
screen  oui'selves  in  the  least.  Why  should  we, 
when  we  were  already  wet  to  the  skin?  Shelter 
was  a  matter  of  impossibility,  except  the  tew  "  dog 
tents  "  which  only  a  part  of  the  hoys  had,  and  they 
eould  only  he  used  at  night,  and  even  then  they 
only  covered  a  part  of  us,  for  our  teet  and  legs  up 
to  our  knees  always  took  the  weather  as  it  came, 
no  matter  whether  it  was  wet  or  dry:  and  during 
this  nine  or  ten  days,  no  man  attempted  to  remove 
a  particle  of  his  clothing,  he  simply  went  to  hed 
like  a  horse,  with  his  shoes  on. 

The  incessant  rain  had  tilled  every  little  stream 
and  gulch  to  overflowing,  while  the  water  was 
rushing  down  the  sides  of  the  mountains  in  great 
sluices,  and  had  tilled  the  stream,  up  which  we 
came,  and  along  which  passes  the  only  road  that 
allows  any  possible  chance  to  escape,  until  it  was 
full  from  hank  to  hank,  rushing  and  timihlin<r 
along  down  the  rough,  rugged  and  rocky  channel, 
thick  with  mud,  foaming  and  frothing,  and  roar 
ing  in  a  most  threatening  manner.  The  reader  will 
please  remember  that  we  are  just  now  at  the  very 
head  of  this  long,  deep  u'ap,  and  ahout  six  miles 
from  its  mouth,  waiting  for  orders  to  *4  follow 
Thomas"  hy  way  of  Beech  Grove,  which  would 
compel  us  to  pass  down  this  angry  stream,  and 


ON    THE    WAY    TO    BEECH    GROVE.  211 

one  among  the  many  strange  tilings  is  that  such 
orders  should  reach  us  at  8  o'clock  at  night,  and 
by'!')  o'clock  the  whole  division  was  on  its  way, 
splashing  along  down  the  muddy  stream.  Dark 
as  the  bottomless  pit,  and  raining  straight  down  ; 
splash,  splash,  splash,  splash,  sometimes  knee  deep, 
sometimes  waist  deep,  and  always  in  water;  slop, 
slop,  slop,  slop,  here  we  go,  sometimes  in  the  road, 
and  sometimes  stumbling  over  logs  and  stones. 
Every  once  in  a  while  you  could  hear  some  one 
call  out,  u  where  are  yon,  Bill '.'  "  "  Here,  what  the 
thunder  are  you  doing  away  out  there  V  Pretty 
soon  it  would  be,  "where  are  yon.  Company  A?" 
or,  "  where  are  you,  Company  K?  "  This  was  the 
only  possible  way  for  the  different  companies  to 
keep  anywhere  near  together.  On  one  occasion 
one  of  the  members  of  my  company  stumbled  over 
something,  and  as  he  pitched  forward  he  lost  his 
gun  in  the  muddy  water,  quite  knee  deep.  Jt  so 
happened  that  he  was  right  in  front  of  me,  and  was 
just  in  the  act  of  stooping  to  feel  for  his  gun  when 
I  ran  against  him,  and  away  we  both  went  head 
long  into  the  water.  1  soon  got  on  my  feet  again, 
with  the  muddy  water  dripping  from  my  clothes, 
and  was  trying  to  think  of  some  suitable  words  to 
express  myself,  when  all  at  once  Andrew  Sands, 
who  happened  to  be  the  man  I  had  ran  over,  broke 
forth  in  the  most  eloquent  language  I  think  I  ever 
heard.  It  took  only  a  moment  to  convince  me 
that  he  was  doing  the  case  full  justice,  and  I  bore 
my  part  in  silence.  Fn  tact.  I  am  not  right  sure 


212  IIISTOHY    OF    THE    SIXTH     KK<  ilM  KNT. 

that  it  would  have  been  very  safe  tor  me  to  let 
myself  be  known  just  at  that  time,  anyhow. 

But  still  we  go,  splash,  splash,  down  the  muddy 
stream,  until,  I  think  it  was  :•>  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing,  the  bugle  blew  halt,  and  soon  word  came  back 
fop  us  to  tni'ii  in  for  the  night.  Turn  in  where! 
1  thought  to  myself,  with  mud  and  water  all 
around  us,  and  everywhere.  It  was  so  dark  we 
could  not  see  an  object  beyond  an  arm's  length. 
The  companies  were  all  mixed  up,  or,  in  other 
words,  there  was  simply  nothing  like  order  or  or 
ganization  among  tin*  companies  or  regiments,  and 
when  the  order  to  ''turn  in"  was  received,  it  was 
"every  fellow  for  himself"  from  that  time  until 
daylight. 

Lieutenant  George  B.  Green,  of  our  company, 
and  myself  happened  to  be  near  each  other  when 
the  bugle  sounded,  and  we  decided  to  make'  the 
most  we  could  of  our  condition  and  together  we 
struck  out  for  higher  ground.  We  had  gone  only 
a  short  distance  when  we  run  into  a  brush-pile 
where  some  man  had  trimmed  a  tree  and  piled  the 
brush.  We  spread  this  out  and  added  a  few  loads 
of  green  paw-paw  brush  to  it.  and  on  this  we  made 
our  bed  for  the  remainder  of  the  night:  and,  not 
withstanding  the  fact  that  I  was  wet  to  the  skin 
and  hungry  as  a  wolf,  I  slept  well.  >o  well,  in  fact, 
that  I  did  not  get  up  until  daylight.  It  was 
curious  to  see  the  boys  getting  together  next 
morning.  But  after  a^hurried  breakfast,  the  bugle 
again  blows  the  "fall  in  "  and  away  we  go  for 


OF  TIIK  MARCH.  213 

Beech  Grove.  \\  e  soon  strike  the  Manchester 
pike,  and  another  day  is  put  in  amidst  mud  and 
rain. 

A  short  halt  at  noon  tor  coffee  and  on  \ve  go, 
through  mud  and  rain.  Another  short  halt  at 
supper  time  for  coffee,  and  again  me  move  on. 
Dark  sets  in,  and  still  we  press  forward.  About 
9  o'clock  at  night  a  very  heavy  thunder  storm 
came  up,  and  for  a  change  the  most  terrific  storm 
of  thunder  and  lightning  prevailed,  while  the  rain 
came  down  in  torrents,  hut  still  we  move  on.  The 
lightning  was  so  vivid  and  thunder  so  rapid  and 
terrific  as  it  played  among  the  treetops  which 
slashed  each  other  as  their  branches  met  over 
the  narrow,  muddy  road  along  which  we  still 
followed  as  best  we  could  in  the  inky  darkness, 
that  it  seemed  to  me  that  Satan  himself  had  been 
turned  loose.  Ten  o'clock  comes,  and  still  we  are 
plodding  along  in  the  dark  and  mud,  while  the 
lightning  is  still  darting  livid  streams  of  fire 
among  the  treetops,  and  in  a  sporting  way  would 
now  and  then  hit  some  old  scraggy  rock  on  the 
mountains  a  whack  just  to  see  the  slivers  fly. 
Eleven  o'clock  comes  and  still  we  press  forward, 
wet  to  the  skin  and  mud  to  the  knees,  while  it 
was  with  difficulty  that  I  could  lift  my  feet  out  of 
the  deep  mud.  1  stagger  as  I  walk.  Merciful 
father,  give  us  strength  to  endure  these  hardships, 
that  we  may  not  fall  and  perish  by  the  wayside! 
Half  past  eleven  and  we  have  reached  the  top  of 
the  mountain.  Hark!  The  biiirle  sounds  the 


'2\4  HISTORY    OF    THK    HXTH     I;  K<  i  I  M  KN  T. 

halt,  and  amidst  the  pelting  rain  and  roaring 
thunder,  we  receive  orders  to  *•  turn  in  n  for  the 
night.  My  partner  of  hist  night  was  nowhere 
near  me,  nor  did  I  take  the  trouble  to  look  him 
up.  Again  it  is  a  case  of  self-preservation,  and  on 
mv  own  hook  I  began  to  cast  about  for  a  resting 
place  for  the  night.  By  the  aid  of  the  flashing 
lightning  I  made  my  way  to  a  rail  fence  near  bv, 
and  securing  a  couple  of  rails.  I  placed  one  end  of 
them  on  a  log  while  the  other  end  rested  on  the 
ground,  turning  the  heart  edges  in,  then  with  my 
haversack  placed  on  the  log  between  the  rails  for 
a  pillow,  I  stretch  myself  between  the  rails,  place 
my  hat  over  my  face,  and  under  an  oil-cloth  cov 
ering  me  from  head  to  feet,  I  folded  mv  arms 
across  my  breast  and  was  soon  unconscious  of  past 
troubles. 

I  have  been  a  little  particular  in  giving  my  ex 
perience  in  this  case  for  two  reasons: 

Fivst.  My  experience  is  that  of  every  member 
of  the  regiment  who  was  on  this  march. 

tierond.  That  the  reader  might  see  that  the 
qualities  of  patience  and  endurance  are  jnst  as  es 
sential  in  a  soldier  as  are  those  of  courage  and 
patriotism.  Men.  like  horse*,  in  order  to  be  service 
able,  should  be  patient,  tractable,  have  plenty  of 
muscle,  and  lots  of  good  horse  sense. 

••  The  darkest  cloud  lias  a  silver  lining."  When 
1  awoke  next  morning  (it  was  the  first  day  of  .Jul  v). 
the  sun  was  jnst  sending  his  kk  golden  rays"'  of 
light  up  over  the  eastern  hills  in  a  manner  which 


ON    THE    ROAD    TO    Tl'LLAIIOMA.  215 

seemed  to  say  to  the  raging  elements,  •*  Peace,  be 
still."  All  was  calm  and  serene.  All  nature 
stH'ined  to  have  settled  down  to  its  usual  quiet,  and 
the  only  noise  to  be  heard  was  the  singing'  of  the 
birds  among  the  tree  tops. 

Orders  to  he  ready  to  inarch  hurried  up  a  meager 
breakfast,  and  soon  we  were  on  the  road  again, 
headed,  this  time,  toward  Tullahoma,  as  General 
Thomas  had  pressed  the  enemy  so  hard  that  he 
had  abandoned  his  strong  works  at  Shelbyville 
and  was  concentrating  on  Tullahoma. 

The  three  army  corps  began  to  close  in  around 
Tullahoma,  and  by  the  morning  of  the  2d  each 
corps  was  in  its  place,  in  line  of  battle,  and  pre 
pared  to  test  the  strength  of  Bragg's  army  in  an 
open  field  tight.  But  scouting  parties  and  captured 
prisoners  reported  that  Bragg  was  evacuating 
the  place.  A  closer  investigation  proved  the  cor 
rectness  of  these  reports,  and  while  a  portion  of 
the  army  was  sent  in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  en 
emy,  the  balance  was  ordered  into  cam])  again  at 
various  points.  The  old  Sixth  went  ill  to  camp 
near  Tullahoma;  and  1  want  to  say  to  you  that  it 
would  be  hard  to  find  a  worse  set  of  used-up  boys 
than  the  Sixth  Regiment  was  at  this  time.  Muddy, 
hungry,  tired  and  foot-sore,  an  opportunity  to  clean 
up  and  rest,  and  get  a  square  meal,  was  a  matter 
of  necessity.  Our  camp  here  was  located  and  tents 
put  up  about  the  3d  day  of  July,  and  not  one  man 
in  ten  had  had  his  shoes  or  boots  off  since  \ve 
broke  camp  at  Murfreesboro,  on  the  24th  day  of 


216  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH     I:  I  .< .  I  MKXT. 

June.  For  my  own  part,  I  will  say  tliat  1  lia<l  hot 
pretended  to  take  oft'  my  l»oots  until  a  ft  IT  our 
tents  wore  up  here  on  the  3d,  and  one  of  the  hoys 
took  a  knife  and  simply  cut  them  from  my  feet, 
and  in  removing  my  socks  pieces  of  skin  as  large 
as  twenty-live  cent  silver  pieces  were  pealed  from 
the  blisters  on  my  ankles.  My  feet  and  ankles 
swelled  to  double  their  natural  si/e.  and  1  did  not 
walk  a  step  for  over  a  week,  and  I  was  onlv  one  of 
many  who  were  in  the  same  condition. 

While  the  campaign  was  short,  yet  it  was  bril 
liant  in  the  extreme.      Bragg  had  simply  been  out- 

Kciieraled.      He   had   been   routed  and  put  to  tTiirht 
i  • 

without  the  shedding  of  blood.  lie  had  been 
compelled  to  abandon  Middle  Tennessee  forever, 
and  with  no  hope  of  ever  returning  to  it  again; 
and  while  Bragg  himself  never  did  get  back  into 
Tennessee.  I  have  a  faint  recollection  of  a  certain 
fellow  whose  surname  was  Hood  venturing  back 
there  as  far  as  Franklin,  but  unfortunately  for  this 
fellow,  there  happened  to  be  a  man  the  boys  called 
"  1'ap  Thomas"  stationed  at  Nashville,  and  one 
day  old  Pap  Thomas  sent  one  of  his  Lieutenants 
by  the  name  of  Schotield  down  to  Franklin  to  in 
vite  this  man  Hood  up  to  Nashville  to  a  Christmas 
dinner,  lie  accepted  the  invitation  and  went,  and 
somehow  either  he  did  not  like  the  rations,  or  he 
and  Thomas  could  not  agree  on  the  division,  and 
Thomas  told  him  to  "git,"  and  he  got.  but  before 
he  went  he  decided  ?o  leave  with  Thomas  about 
:$.">, 000  of  his  men,  72  pieces  of  his  artillery,  70 


HOOD    WKNT    t'P   TO    SEE    THOMAS.  217 

stands  of  his  colors,  besides  about  all  the  small  arms, 
wagons  and  other  material  that  he  took  to  Nash 
ville,  and  even  then  did  not  stay  for  dinner. 

The  news  of  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg  reached 
us  even  before  the  terms  of  surrender  were  com 
pleted.  This,  added  to  our  own  brilliant  success, 
did  very  much  indeed  to  gladden  the  hearts  of  our 
boys,  and,  with  rest  and  good  treatment,  we  were 
soon  ready  for  duty  again. 

Nothing  of  special  interest  occurred  to  or  in 
our  regiment  while  we  laid  here  at  Tuilahoma,  ex 
cept  that  we  received  a  visit  from  the  pay-master. 
The  hoys  were  always  glad  to  get  their  money, 
which  was  nearly  always  sent  to  tlie  needy  ones  at 
home.  Now  and  then  some  fellow  would  keep 
back  just  enough  to  get  on  a  "high  low,7'  but  this 
was  seldom  done.  We  had  a  splendid  time  gath 
ering  blackberries  while  we  lay  here.  This  afforded 
us  not  only  recreation,  but  diversion,  as  well  as  an 
abundance  of  tine  berries.  Old  Uncle  John  used 
to  feed  us  on  "  blackberry  cobbler"  nearly  every 
day. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  CHICKAMAUGA  CAMPAIGN. 

We  move  by  way  of  Salein — Description  of  the  route  and  people — 
Crossing  the  mountains  -Peaches,  huckleberries  and  big  rat 
tlesnakes — Sky  fanners  and  tobacco-chewing  women — Our 
march  down  the  mountains — Hundreds  overcome  from  heat 
and  thirst — We  strike  the  Tennessee  and  go  into  camp — We 
cross  the  Tennessee  Sand  Mountain  and  Wills  Valley — Bragg 
evacuates  Chattanooga — Our  Corps  ordered  to  Alpine — Our 
Corps  in  great  danger — We  fall  back  on  top  the  mountain — 
We  i»ee  the  rebels  concentrating  in  Chickamauga  Valley — We 
move  off  toward  Crawfish  Springs. 

Hut  while  we  were  laving  around  comparatively 
idle,  our  Commander,  General  Rosecrans.  was  plan 
ning  for  another  campaign  and  forward  movement. 
His  plans  were  all  completed  hy  the  middle  of  Au 
gust,  and  on  the  1*>th  the  Army  of  the  Cumber 
land  again  began  to  move. 

Our  corps  moved  off'  to  the  right,  while  our  di 
vision  went  hy  way  of  Salem  and  Larkiifs  Ford 
to  Bellefont.  and  struck  the  Tennessee  River  at 
Caperton's  Ferry,  about  forty  miles  below  Chatta 
nooga,  and  here  we  crossed  the  Tennessee  River 
on  a  pontoon  bridge.- 

But  before  we  cross  this  river  let  us  take  a  kind 
of  a  survey  of  the  rryite  along  which  we  passed  in 
order  to  reach  the  crossing  point.  I  do  not  know 
the  exact  distance,  but  we  were  some  twelve  or 


DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    ROUTE    AND    PEOPLE.  21JI 

fourteen  days  on  the  road  from  Tullalioma  to  the 
Tennessee.  The  road  was  rough  and  mountain 
ous,  very  poor  land,  and  miserable  little  patch 
farms,  poorly  cultivated.  The  natives,  in  appear 
ance',  corresponded  we'll  with  the  country,  and 
were  nearly  all  white.  The  negroes  here  were,  of 
course,  slaves,  and  these  white  people  were  all  too 
poor  to  own  slaves,  and  this  accounts  for  their  ab 
sence.  These  poor  natives  were  what  the  slave 
owners  called  "poor  white  trash,"  and  that  pretty 
nearly  told  it.  As  for  school  houses,  there  were 
simply  none,  and  I  doubt  if  some  of  these  ever 
saw  a  newspaper  in  their  lives.  The  boys  had  lots 
of  fun  as  we  trudged  along  the  gravelly  roads,  up 
hill  and  down,  and  seemingly  without  hurry,  and 
while  it  was  very  warm,  yet  a  greater  portion  of 
the  road  was  shady,  and  there  was  a  great  abund 
ance  of  pure  spring  water  all  along  the  line.  An 
other  thing  that  helped  us  out  amazingly — peaches 
were  ripe,  and  the  fence  corners  and  the  hill-sides 
seemed  to  grow  nothing  better  than  peach  trees. 
The  crop  was  good  this  year,  and  we  struck  the 
country  at  just  the  right  time  to  get  the  benefit  of 
it.  All  moved  off  nicely  until  we  struck  a  spur 
of  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  the  extreme  south 
ern  range.  This  mountain  was  a  little  less  than 
one  mile  high,  and  very  steep,  and  the  road  up  it 
was  somewhat  in  the  shape  of  an  old-fashioned 
rail  fence.  It  required  ten  horses  and  all  the  men 
that  could  get  around  it  to  take  a  piece  of  artil 
lery  up  the  hill,  ami  it  took  our  division  about 


220  HIHTOKY  OF  Tin:  SIXTH   KKI.I.MK.VI. 

four  days  to  get  up,  and  as  our  regiment  was 
about  the  first  of  the  troops  that  arrived  u|>  there, 
we  had  a  good  time  waiting  up  tliere  oil  to}> 
and  gathering  huckleberries.  To  the  hist  item  of 
sport,  however,  then1  was  one  verv  serious  draw- 
hack,  as  well  as  a  little  dauber,  and  that  was  the 
most  horrid,  vieioiis  looking,  rusty  old  rattlesnakes 
I  think  I  ever  saw.  The  hoys  brought  into  camp 
a  number  of  these-  old  fellows  having  as  many  as 
twelve  or  fifteen  rattles,  but  the  greatest  euriosity 
we  run  on  up  there  was  what  the  bovs  called  a 
scorpion.  It  resembled  a  crawfish  more  than  any 
thing  else.  Its  body  was  round,  instead  of  being 
flat  like  that  of  a  crawfish:  it  had  two  large 
pinchers  in  front,  with  small  legs  back,  much  like 
the  crawfish,  and  instead  of  a  Hat  tail  it  termi 
nated  in  a  sharp  point,  more  like  the  tail  of  a  wasp. 
When  tlu-  boys  would  plague  it,  by  using  a  stick 
and  never  the  fingers,  it  would  rear  up  like  a  1m ire 
old  crawfish  and  throw  up  its  pinchers  in  a 
threatening  manner,  whirl  on  his  back,  and  dart 
from  this  black  tail  a  sting  fully  three-fourths  of 
an  inch  in  length,  black  as  jet,  and  as  keen  as  a 
needle.  Another  peculiar  trait  this  monster  had 
was  that  its  movements  were  as  quick  as  a  Hash. 
This  was  the.'  only  creature  of  this  kind  I  ever 
saw,  and  I  confess  I  was  not  particularly  struck 
with  the  idea  of  trying  to  tame  it  as  a  pet. 

It  was  late  Saturday  night  when  the  division  all 
got  on  top  of  the  mountain,  and  Sunday  morning 
early  we  got  orders  to  march,  and  away  we  go  for 


TOBACCO-CHEWING    WOMEN.  221 

the  river,  some  thirty  miles  distant.  The  natives 
had  heard  of  the  army  being  up  on  the  mountain 
and  near  them,  SO,  dressed  in  their  hest,  they  came 
up  and  stationed  themselves  alonjr  the  roadside  to 

o 

see  the  Yankees  pass.  Xot  a  man  was  among 
them,  nothing  but  women  and  ehildren — big,  lit 
tle,  old  and  young — a  few  colored,  but  nearly  all 
white. 

The  HOHIKJ  /dtlicx  who  were  the  better  dressed 
ones,  wore  striped  eotton  dresses  that  buttoned  up 
in  front  with  brass  buttons,  and  1  will  stake  my 
reputation  as  a  soldier  that  not  one  of  them  had 
ever  seen  a  corset  or  hoop-skirt.  Nearly  all  wore 
sun  bonnets,  while  a  few  wore  u  scoops."  Kvery 
once  in  a  while  one  of  them  would  call  out,  u  How 
are  you,  Yanks?"  and  such  a  smile,  while  their 
under  jaws  were  playing  perpetual  motion  on 
u  long  green."  If  one  of  the  boys  happened  to 
pass  near  them  they  never  failed  to  ask,  u  Can't  ye 
gim  me  some  terbackey  ?  "  It  was  claimed  that 
some  of  the  hoys  deserted  while  along  here,  hut  I 
don't  think  it  was  any  of  the  Sixth  Indiana.  But 
on  we  go,  il<nr-H,  /lotrn  a  long  ridge,  and  I  thought 
it  was  the  longest  ridge  I  ever  saw.  high  and  dry, 
and  very  steep  on  both  sides.  And  while  we  had 
had  plenty  of  good  water  until  we  struck  this 
mountain,  up  here  we  simply  had  none,  and  it 
seemed  to  me  that  "hot"  was  no  name  for  it:  and 
then  another  thing,  the  further  we  went  the  faster 
we  marched.  We  stopped  a  tew  minutes  about 
noon  for  coffee,  hut  when  we  started  again  it  was 


•JL'2  HISTORY    OF    Till;    -I  \  I  H    KK<  il.MKN'l  . 

simply  tin-  worst  case  of  hot  and  fast  marchiiiir 
that  ever  struck  the  old  Sixth  during  our  three 
years'  service.  About  '2  o'clock  the  boys  began 
to  fall  out,  exhausted,  that's  all,  while  now  and 
then  we  would  pass  sonic  poor  fellow  stretched 
upon  the  ground  and  two  or  three  of  his  comrades^ 
fanning  him,  while  another  was  bathing  his  head 
with  the  remnant  of  warm  water  left  in  his  can 
teen.  Hundreds  could  be  seen  seated  by  the  road 
side,  pah-  and  sick,  using  their  hats  for  a  fan,  while 
not  a  few  were  vomiting.  I  want  to  say,  upon  the 
honor  of  a  man,  that  this  matter  is  not  colored;  it 
is  the  plain,  simple  truth,  and  1  refer  to  every  man 
of  our  regiment  to  verity  what  I  have  said. 

Why  we  should  have  been  put  upon  such  a 
forced  march  under  the  existing  circumstances, 
was  then,  and  is  to  this  day  a  mystery  to  me,  and 
the  officer  who  was  guilty  of  this  outrage  upon 
common  decency  and  humanity,  be  he  high  or  low, 
deserves  the  everlasting  contempt  and  hatred  of 
the  victims  of  his  cruelty.  There  can  be  no  rea 
sonable  excuse  given  for  this  lack  of  discretion 
and  cruelty,  for  we  reached  the  river  and  went  into 
camp  before  night.  The  boys  will  remember  that 
when  we  struck  the  main  road  running  up  and 
down  the  river,  that  we  turned  up  the  river  toward 
Stevenson,  and  went  only  a  short  distance  until 
we  struck  a  small  stream,  which  we  went  up 
only  three  or  four  hundred  yards  and  went  into 
camp.  The  boys  will  also  remember  that  the  ori 
gin  or  source  of  this  little  stream  was  a  larg* 


IJRACrG    EVACTATKS    CHATTANOOGA.  22o 

spring,  which  boiled  ii}»  near  the  center  of  a  little 
piece  of  bottom  land,  while  it  was  entirely  level  all 
around  it.  They  will  remember  that  we  could 
walk  all  around  the  spring  except  where  it  run  off 
down  and  formed  the  stream,  which  was  twenty 
or  thirty  feet  wide,  and  perhaps  two  feet  deep,  and 
very  clear  and  cold.  It  would  have  been  better  if 
we  should  have  been  until  10  o'clock  at  night  in 
making  the  trip,  if  water  was  the  object,  and  there 
seems  to  have  been  none  other. 

We  moved  from  this  camp  the  next  morning 
after  an  early  breakfast,  going  down  the  river 
until  we  reached  the  ferry,  and  here  we  crossed 
the  Tennessee  and  struck  out  to  take  a  part  in 
the  campaign  which  resulted  in  the  battle  of  Chick- 
amanga.  After  we  crossed  the  river  we  struck 
out  toward  Sand  Mountain  and  over  it  into  Wills1 
Valley.  From  here  we  moved  into  and  seized 
Winston's  Gap.  We  were  now  about  twenty-live 
miles  from  where  we  had  crossed  the  river.  It 
was  here  that  McCook  succeeded  in  concentrating 
his  corps,  and  he  was  notified  that  Bragg  was 
evacuating  Chattanooga,  and  was  also  ordered  to 
move  rapidly  upon  Alpine  and  Hummerville  in 
pursuit,  to  intercept  his  line  of  retreat  and  to  at 
tack  on  his  Hank.  But  when  McCook  got  to  Al 
pine  he  discovered-  that  Bragg  had  not  retreated 
very  far.  lie  also  made  the  discovery  that  he  was 
in  rather  a  dangerous  position,  and  instead  ot 
attacking  Bragg's  Hank  he  found  that  Bragg's 
whole  armv  was  in  his  immediate  front  and  was 


1>24  IHSTOKY    OK    T1IK    SIXTH     KK< .  I  M  KNT. 

likely  to  attack  him  at  any  time.  But  we  re 
mained  here  all  next  day  waiting  tor  orders  and 
reinforcements,  although  McCook  took  the  pro- 
caution  to  send  his  wagon  train  to  the  roar.  In 
the  meanwhile  Rosecrans  determined  that  Bragg 
was  concentrating  his  army  at  Lafayette  with  a 
view  of  giving  battle.  He  at  once  gave  orders  tor 
the  concentration  of  his  three  corps.  This  order 
brought  us  back  from  Alpine  to  a  more  convenient 
road  over  Lookout  Mountain.  Rapid  marching 
brought  us  to  the  east  side  of  the  mountain,  where 
we  went  into  camp  for  the  night.  The  next  morn 
ing  was  the  iSth  of  September,  and  I  doubt  if  any 
of  the  boys  have  forgotten  the  sight  that  presented 
it  self  down  in  the  Chickamauga  Valley.  It  seemed 
to  me  that  we  could  see  twelve  or  Hfteen  miles, 
and  every  way  we  looked  we  could  see  clouds  of 
dust  raising  from  every  available  road  leading 
into  the  valley.  The  railroad  trains  were  also  un 
loading  troops  by  the  thousands.  Bragg  was  con 
centrating  a  vast  army  to  give  us  battle.  Bragg's 
right  was  at  Loo  «fc  Gordon's  mills,  while  his  lott 
was  at  Lafayette,  his  line  running  along  the  east 
bank  of  Chickamauga  Creek.  Hero  he  awaited 
what  hi'  saw  was  coming,  an  attack  from  the  Fed 
eral  army.  We  marched  rapidly  along  up  tin- 
mountain  a  short  distance  quite  early  in  the  morn 
ing,  and  about  S  o'clock  we  struck  down  its  east 
ern  slope,  in  the  direction  of  Crawfish  Springs. 
Xear  the  foot  of  the  mountain  we  struck  a  road 
which  seemed  to  run  parallel  with  the  mountain 


WE    MOVE    TOWARD    CRAWFISH    H>RIN(,s.  22") 

and  between  it  and  Chiekamauga  Creek.  Here 
we  tu mod  to  tho  loft  and  wont  down  tho  vallov 
toward  Crawfish  Springs.  Throughout  tho  whole 
day,  and  just  to  our  right  on  tho  other  side  of  the 
creek  or  vallov,  tho  rebels  oould  bo  seen  pulling 
out  like  ourselves  in  the  same,  direction.  The 
pickets  thrown  out  to  i^uard  our  right  Hank  would 
every  now  and  then  run  into  a  line  of  rebel  pickets 
who  were  watching'  every  possible  crossing  or 
bridge  over  the  Chickamauga  Creek.  Xight  over 
took  us  and  wo  went  into  camp  up  near  the  side 
of  the  mountain.  The  Sixth  Indiana  wont  on 
picket.  We  were  sent  out  toward  the  creek,  and 
all  the  night  through  we  could  hear  the  rebel 
wagons  and  artillery  rattle  as  they  moved  down 
the  valley.  Nothing  occurred  worthy  of  note1  that- 
night,  and  early  next  morning,  after  a  hasty  break 
fast,  we  struck  out  down  the  valley  again  on  the 
l!>th  toward  Crawfish  Springs,  only  a  short  dis 
tance  ahead,  and  arrived  at  that  place  at  about  J> 
o'clock  A.  AI.  WQ  stopped  here  just  long  enough 
to  fill  our  canteens,  and  pushed  on  a  short  distance 
beyond  and  halted  to  await  orders. 

There  was  not  even  a  private  in  the  ranks  who 
did  not  realize  the  fact  that  we  had  a  big  contract 
on  our  hands.  We  all  thought  that  Bragg's  army 
was  as  large  as  our  own  and  possessed  many  ad 
vantages  we  did  not  have.  But  wo  had  crossed 
the  Rubicon  and  must  tight,  and  did  fight  an  army 
of  70,000  of  as  well  drilled  and  equipped  men  as 


15 


22H  HISTORY    OF   THK    SIXTH    HE(iIMKN"I. 

ouv  own  witli  an  army  of  ~>~>,000,  and  with  this 
difference  in  their  favor:  They  were  fresh  and 
rested  ami  at  home,  while  we  were  nearly  worn 
out  with  long, hard  marching  and  were  many  miles 
from  home. 


CHAPTER  XiV. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  CHICKAMAUGA. 

Bragg  makes  a  rush  for  the  Kossville  road— Rosecrans  holds  it  all 
the  same — Our  Division  constantly  moving  to  the  left — Most 
desperate  fighting — Baird  overpowered  and  crushed— We  rush 
to  the  rescue  and  save  the  day — The  enemy  comes  again  and 
we  give  way — Jeff.  C.  Davis  comes  to  our  rescue — We  reform, 
fall  in  with  Davis,  and  send  the  enemy  whirling  to  the  rear — 
We  throw  out  pickets  and  stack  arms— An  unexpected  charge 
of  the  enemy — Colonel  Baldwin  killed  —  We  repulse  the  enemy 
but  fall  back — A  narrow  escape  from  capture — The  brave  con 
duct  of  the  Sixth  Indiana — A  half  mile  to  the  rear  we  rest  for 
the  night — The  result  of  the  first  day  in  our  favor — We  con 
struct  defenses  early  next  morning — The  rebels  attack  us  about 
8  o'clock — Desperate  and  repeated  charges — We  "  hold  the 
fort"  until  about  6  i>.  M. — Then,  under  orders,  we  fall  back  in 
good  order — One  officer  wounded  as  we  fall  back — Co).  Tripp 
wounded  at  the  front— We  fall  back  to  Rossville  that  night— 
We  throw  up  works  and  await  the  enemy — The  enemy  fail  to 
attack— We  fall  back  into  Chattanooga — The  results  of  the 
battle. 

Bragg'a  first  and  grand  plan  in  this  battle1  was 
to  crush  GUI-  loft  and  seixo  the  road  to  Chattanooga 
by  way  of  Kossville.  With  this  idea  in  view,  lie 
kept  massing'  his  troops  on  his  right  until  as  early 
in  the  day  as  10  o'clock,  on  the  morning'  of  the 
19th,  his  left  was  but  very  little  south  of  Lee  <fe 
Gordon's  Mills.  It  will  ho  remembered  that  Mc- 
Gook's  corps  had  halted  at  and  around  Crawfish 


228  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    RK<;IMEXT. 

Springs,  while  Lee  A:  (iordeifs  Mills  were  still 
away  to  our  left.  This  condition  placed  us  with 
practically  no  enemy  in  our  front  except  cavalry 
as  guards.  Rosecrans.  knowing  the  importance  of 
holding  the  Kossville  road,  had  sent  Thomas  still 
to  the  left  of  Crittenden,  with  orders  to  hold  this 
road  under  all  circumstances,  and  that  he  should 
he  backed  by  the  whole  army  if  it  became  neces 
sary,  and  sure  enough  it  did  soon  become  necessarv, 
and  that,  too,  fully  as  soon  as  it  was  expected,  for 
shortly  after  10  o'clock,  McCook  received  orders 
to  send  .Johnson's  Division  (which  was  ours),  to  the 
left  to  report  to  General  Thomas.  The  bovs  will 
remember  how  rapidly  we  went  up  the  road  wh.-re 
our  left  was  being  forced  back.  The  rebels  had 
overpowered  and  had  almost  crushed  (ieiieral 
Baird's  Division,  which  was  passing  to  the  rear. 
Our  division  arrived  just  in  time-  to  be  thrown  into 
the  breach,  and  to  save  a  stampede.  We  were 
double  (|uicked  until  after  we  had  passed  all  of 
Baird's  troops,  then  halted,  formed  in  line  of  bat 
tle,  and  started  to  meet  the  victorious  rebels,  who, 
with  the  same  old  Stone  River  •/<'(/.  doubled  up  and 
came  at  us  like  so  manv  demons.  These  were  the 
rebel  General  Walker's  troops,  hut  thev  were  re 
pulsed  and  driven  back  in  confusion  on  their  orig 
inal  line;  but  Cheat  ham,  who  was  on  reserve,  was 
brought  up  to  reinforce  Walker,  and  the  combina 
tion  was  too  heavy  for  us,  and  we  fell  back.  Thi* 
force  struck  our  division  first,  and  came  with  vastly 
superior  numbers*  (General  Davis  took  our  place 


ROSECRANS    HOLDS   THK    ROSSVII.LK    ROAD.  '2'2{.) 

(Mi  the  line  and  checked  the  rebels,  and  our  line 
was  re-formed,  and  again  we  moved  to  the  front, 
and.  after  most  desperate  fighting,  drove  the  en 
emy  hack  to  their  original  line  again. 

General  R.  \V.  Johnson  himself  savs  in  regard 
to  this  last  eontiiet  that.  "  My  division  drove  the 
enemy  at  least  a  mile  and  a  half,  and  captured 
seven  pieces  of  artillery,"  while  General  McCook 
Bays  of  us  that  ''General  Johnson's  division  fought 
near  the  extreme  left  of  the  line.  It  fought  glo 
riously,  driving  the  enemy  for  more  than  a  mile, 
capturing  seven  of  the  enemy's  guns  and  a  large 
number  of  prisoners."  The  old  Sixtli  can  testify 
as  to  one  fact  to  a  moral  certainty,  and  that  is,  it 
was  a  most  desperate  and  hotly  contested  conflict. 
But  as  General  Johnson  says:  "My  glorious  old 
division  acquitted  itself  with  great  credit,  and  its 
honorable  part  in  this  battle  Avas  the  cause  of 
many  compliments  from  almost  every  general  offi 
cer  in  the  battle.'*  This  engagement  took  place,  I 
think,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

We  were  ordered  back  a  short  distance,  formed 
in  line  of  battle  near  the1  front  line,  where  we 
stacked  arms  and  broke  ranks  to  rest.  Of  course 
a  heavy  skirmish  line  was  placed  out  in  front  to 
watch  the1  enemy.  I  must  say  that  it  was  not  a 
very  pleasant  place  to  rest,  for  while  the  wounded 
had  been  carried  to  the  roar,  the  dead  of  both 
sides  were  all  around  us  yet  uncared  for.  To  give 
an  idea  of  the  number  killed  on  this  occasion,  1 
will  sav  that  I  stood  in  one  spot  and  counted 


L>  in  HISTORY  OF  THK  SIXTH   RI:<;IMKNT. 


iirtv-tive  dead,  some  dressed  in  gray  and  s< 
wearing  the  blue,  ami  I  hart-  no  doubt  tliat  l>nt 
for  the  heavy  tiniher  and  brush,  logs,  etc.,  I  could 
have  seen  many  others  from  the  same  standpoint. 
The  hoys  lay  around  here  munching  crackers  and 
bacon,  and  wondering  what  had  heroine  of  the 
rebels  in  our  front,  on  up  until  the  shades  of  night 
had  begun  to  settle  down  upon  us;  in  fact  we  had 
began  to  Hatter  ourselves  that  the  fighting  for  the 
day  was  over,  when,  all  of  a  sudden,  a  volley  was 
tired  into  our  pickets,  which  sent  them  whirling 
hack  into  our  ranks  without  tiring  a  shot  at  the 
advancing  enemy,  who,  with  a  demoniacal  yell, 
was  pursuing  them  with  several  heavily  massed 
columns  in  close  order,  on  a  rapid  run.  The  com 
mand,  4%  Fall  in  !"  went  up  the  line  by  us  like  a 
meteor,  and  I  think  was  repeated  by  every  ofhYer 
along  the  line,  and  like  a  tiger  springing  upon  its 
prey,  so  every  soldier  sprang  for  his  musket,  and 
in  less  time  than  it  takes  to  tell  it,  a  shower  of 
leaden  hail  was  being  belched  into  their  very  faces, 
dealing  out  death  and  destruction  in  a  most  ter 
rible  mam  er.  Still,  on  came  the  exultant  rebels; 
yell  after  yell  sounded  through  the  woods  in  a 
most  threatening  manner,  which  would  have  put 
to  flight  any  but  the  most  courageous,  brave  and 
well -trained  soldiers. 

On  they  come,  in  the  very  face  of  tire  and  lead, 
until  they  strike  the  right  of  our  regiment,  and 
yet  not  a  man  of  the  old  Sixth  had  given  back  an 
inch,  but  when  too  close  to  load  and  tire,  the  rebels 


AN  UNEXPECTED  CHARGE  OF  THE  ENEMY.     231 

were  clubbed  ov«r  the  head  and  checked  for  the 
moment,  while,  instinctively,  both  sides  recoiled  a 
few  steps  without  breaking  the  lines,  and  with 
that  cool,  deliberate  determination  and  reckless 
ness  which  characterizes  all  soldiers  after  breath 
ing  an  atmosphere  strongly  impregnated  with 
powder-smoke,  these  deadly  foes  practiced  the  art 
of  loading  and  tiring  in  a  manner  that  I  believe 
was  never  surpassed  on  any  battle  field  during  the 
rebellion.  This,  of  course,  could  not  last  long — 
one  side  or  the  other  must  give  way — but  the  old 
Sixth  stood  her  ground,  she  did  not  give  back.  A 
better  example  of  courage  and  bravery  could  not 
be  shown  by  any  soldiers  than  the  action  of  the 
Sixth  Indiana  on  this  occasion.  The  rapid  load 
ing  and  tiring,  the  cool,  deliberate  aim  at  the  very 
eye  of  the  rebels,  which  was  plainly  visible  by  the 
light  of  their  own  guns,  was  the  target  for  our 
boys.  A  few  moments  of  such  work  was  enough 
for  the  enemy,  who  had  come  with  such  a  rush 
and  yell.  They  waver,  they  fall  back  step  by  step, 
their  shots  become  fewer  and  scattering,  their 
ranks  are  being  broken,  they  turn  their  hack,  to 
their  foe  and  fly  for  their  lives  from  the  deadly 
missiles  which  are  still  being  sent  after  them. 

u  Cease  firing!''  is  heard  above  the  roar  of  the 
musketry,  and  the  conflict  is  over,  and  we  are  in 
stantly  enveloped  in  midnight  darkness.  What  a 
sensation  !  What  a  change!  Only  a  moment  ago 
the  stream  of  fire  constantly  pouring  from  both 
lines  of  musketry,  only  a  few  feet  apart,  made  the 


HI-TOI:Y  <>|-  THK  M.XTH 


\v<>o<ls  as  hriii'ht  as  tlic  noonday  sun.  Tin-  next 
instant,  like  tlir  Hash  of  a  meteor,  all  is  yone.  and 
we  are  left  in  utter  darkness.  Yes.  indeed,  what 
a  sensation  !  And,  to  render  our  situation  still 
more  disagreeable,  imagine,  if  yon  can,  while 
standing  here  in  this  darkness,  listening  to  the 
screams  and  groans  of  onr  wounded  comrades, 
hurried  word  is  hrou^ht  to  ns  that  onr  troops, 
hoth  on  our  riii'ht  and  left,  had  heen  repulsed  and 
foreed  hack  over  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  leaving  n> 
isolated,  and.  if  not  out  ot  the  way  in  ten  minutes 
time,  we  would  all  he  prisoners. 

This  excitement  spread  through  the  regiment 
like  the  alarm  ot  tire  iii  a  town  or  city,  when  to 
add  still  more  to  our  confusion,  a  Pennsylvania 
regiment,  which  I  suppose  had  heen  sent  hack  to 
look  after  us,  came  to  the  top  of  a  little  raise  just 
hack  of  us  some  sixty  or  seventy  yards,  and  in  the 
darkness  and  confusion  mistook  us  for  the  enemy 
and  tired  a  volley  at  us.  But,  fortunately  for  us.  our 
cool,  level-headed  Colonel  Tripp,  took  in  the  situa 
tion  in  a  moment,  and  notitied  the  reir'iment  that 
this  tiriiiii'  was  hy  our  own  men.  and  immediately 
rode  to  the  rear  and  told  the  Pennsylvania  hovs  of 
their  mistake,  and  they  with  our  own  regiment 
passed  rapidly  to  the  rear,  and  just  in  time  too  to 
save  ourselves  from  a  trip  down  in  Dixie  I  have 
heen  told  hy  .John  Volmer,  a  memher  of  my  own 
company,  who  was  wounded  and  left  on  the  tield 
and  who  was  captured  hy  the  enemy  and  went  the 
rounds  through  the  rehel  prison*,  hut  finally  lived 


COLONEL    BALDWIN    KILLED.  !>:>:; 

through  it  all  and  got  honu',  that  the  regiment 
had  l)cen  gone  to  the  rear  only  a  few  minutes 
when  the  rebels,  with  fixed  bayonets  and  in  good 
order,  came  marching  down  the  hill  from  just  the 
way  we  had  gone,  and  passed  on  over  him,  bark 
toward  their  own  side.  Mr.  Volmer  savs,  when 
lie  first  heard  them  coming  he  thought  it  was  our 
own  men.  but  when  one  o!  them  gave  him  a  kick 
and  asked  him  it'  he  was  a  wounded  k'  Yank"  he 
changed  his  mind. 

Our  most  serious  loss  in  this  engagement  was 
the  killing  of  Colonel  1*.  I*.  .Baldwin,  of  our  regi 
ment,  but  who  at  the  time  was  commanding  our 
brigade.  At  the  time  the  charge  was  made  Col 
onel  Baldwin  was  near  the  right  of  the  regiment, 
dismounted  and  standing  near  his  horse.  His 
business,  of  course,  was  to  look  after,  not  our  regi 
ment,  but  the  brigade.  He  instantly  mounted  his 
horse  and  got  the  brigade  in  readiness  for  what 
seemed  to  be  a  most  desperate  conflict.  His  con 
fidence  in  the  old  Sixth  in  a  case  of  emergency,  as 
I  suppose,  brought  him  back  near  it,  and  just  on 
its  right  where  he  had  left  the  moment  before. 
But  by  this  time  the  rebels  -were  upon  us,  and  he, 
as  I  suppose,  concluded  that  a  counter  charge  was 
the  best  way  to  meet  the  enemy,  and  immediately 
rode  through  our  ranks  and  called  on  the  Sixth 

e^ 

Indiana  to  follow  him.  This,  of  course,  placed 
him  between  the  two  fires,  which  were  only  a  few 
yards  apart,  and  both  him  and  his  horse  were 
killed  instantly.  The  regiment,  very  sensibly,  did 


234  HISTORY    or    TIIK    HXTII     KEGIMKN'T. 

not  obey  an  order  which  never  should  have  hern 
given,  hut  did  just  as  they  should  have  done: 
u  Stand  fast  and  give  'em  'ell!"  In  this  ease  it 
was  a  practical  demonstration  of  the  American 
idea — the  majority  rult — and,  as  usual,  it  proved 
to  be  right. 

I  think  the  members  of  the  old  Sixth  will  all 
bear  witness  that  Colonel  Baldwin  was  a  brave 
officer,  of  tine  military  bearing  and  a  splendid  dis 
ciplinarian,  but  it  certainly  was  very  rash  in  him 
to  ride  between  the  two  tiring  lines  just  at  this 
time,  as  by  so  doing  he  lost  his  life,  and  if  the  reg 
iment  had  obeyed  his  command,  in  my  opinion,  it 
would  have-  proved  the  certain  death  of  many  of 
its  members  as  well  as  its  utter  route,  which  would 
have  resulted  in  a  stampede.  In  my  criticism- 
of  Colonel  Baldwin,  I  do  not  wish  to  he  under 
stood  as  trying  to  reflect  upon,  his  character  and 
reputation  as  a  brave,  daring  officer,  but  merely  in 
this  particular  case,  that  under  the  excitement,  his 
judgment  was  at  fault.  But  the  mistake  cost  the 
brave  Colonel  his  life,  as  he  died  where  he  fell  and 
he  and  his  personal  effects  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  Colonel  Baldwin  had  many  warm  friends 
in  the  regiment,  and  when  the  fact  of  his  death 
was  known,  there  was  universal  sorrow  through 
out  the  regiment;  and  well  there  might  be,  for  by 
his  death  the  old  Sixth  lost  one  of  its  best  friends, 
and  the  service  a  valuable  officer. 

1  have  no  apology  to  offer  for  once  more  speak 
ing  of  the  actions  of  the  Sixth  Indiana  in  this 


BRAVE    CONDTCT    OF    THE    SIXTH.  235 

particular  engagement.  While  the  quick  and  des 
perate  charge  of  the  enemy  was  no  surprise,  vet  it 
was  so  sudden  that  the  tendency  was  to  confuse, 
or  to  produce  disorder;  and,  then,  the  assault  was 
made  by  many  times  our  number,  and,  too,  at  a  time 
when  our  arms  were  stacked,  and  the  boys  quietly 
resting.  The  enemy  had  every  advantage  of  us, 
taking  advantage,  as  they  did,  of  the  low,  heavv 
woods  over  which  the  shades  of  night  had  quietly 
settled;  just  about  that  time  in  the  evening  when 
the  tiger  would  slyly  steal  out  from  the  jungle  in 
search  of  his  prey,  and  with  all  the  ferocity  and 
tieivenessof  the  tiger,  bound  upon  us  in  an  unsus 
pected  moment.  Their  plans  were  complete,  and 
would  have  been  successful  but  for  one  thing — 
that  characteristic  "  rebel  yell  "  or  "  Indian  whoop,'" 
gave  them  away,  and  proved  to  be  the  "  quack  " 
of  the  goose  that  saved  the  city  of  Rome.  After 
the  sound  of  this  familiar  warning  reached  our 
ears  we  had  time  to  prepare  for  them.  This  charge 
of  the  enemy  covered  our  division  front,  and  while 
his  advance  was  checked,  it  is  also  a  fact  that  our 
entire  line  had  been  forced  back  near  a  quarter  ot 
a  mile,  except  our  regiment  and  the  Thirty-Second 
Indiana  (Willich's  old  regiment),  which  joined  us 
on  the  left.  These  two  regiments  alone  of  the  en 
tire  line  had  the  staying  qualities  to  stand  their 
ground. 

The  fighting  qualities  of  the  Thirty-Second  In 
diana  were  not  surpassed  by  any  other  regiment 
of  the  Armv  of  the  Cumberland,  and  soldiers 


l!I-To|:y    <>F    Till;    HXTH     Ki.'-IMKNT. 

throughout  the  State-  of  Indiana  speak  of  it  only 
to  praise  it:  and  yet  the  old  Sixth,  lien-  in  this 
hotly  contested  conflict,  had  a  chance  to  measure 
her  staying  and  fighting  qualities  along  hy  the  side 
of  Colonel  \Villich's  splendid  regiment, and  proved 
herself  every  hit  its  equal.  Kvery  ineinher  of  our 
regiment,  from  thr  rank  and  tile1  to  its  command 
ing  officer,  conducted  himself  as  though  the  sue 
t-ess  of  our  cause  depended  upon  his  own  actions. 

The  cool,  yet  hravc  and  deliberate  conduct  of 
Colonel  Tripp  in  this  engagement  deserved  and 
received  universal  praise  of  our  entire  regiment. 
Jlis  conduct  as  a  commanding  officer,  as  displayed 
in  this  engagement,  should  have  placed  the  stars 
upon  his  shoulders,  and  I  douht  not  would  have 
done  so  hut  tor  the  misfortunes  of  the  following 
day,  of  which  I  shall  speak  in  the  proper  place. 

<  >nr  lines  were  re-formed  ahoiit  a  half  mile  to  the 
rear,  and  after  placing  a  strong  picket  on  the  front, 
we  rested  tor  the  night  on  the  field. 

The  hattle  of  the  10th  was  a  series  of  hrilliant 
charges  and  counter-charges,  in  favor  of  first  one 
side  and  then  the  other.  During  the  day  our 
troops,  at  times  broken  and  driven  by  the  enemy, 
always  promptly  rallied  and  drove  the  rehels  in 
disorder  to  their  lines  hy  hrilliant  and  effective 
dashes,  moving  to  the  attack  with  vigor  and 
determination.  In  the  main  the  results  of  the  day 
were  in  our  favor. 

l>ut  the  hattle  was  not  yet  over.  The  Com 
manding  Generals  on  hoth  sides  held  councils  of 


THE    RKF>KLS    ATTACK    US.  26i 

war  during  the  early  part  of  the  night,  and  all  the 
after  part  of  the  night  was  used  in  re-forming  the 
lines  and  making  preparations  for  the  terrible  con 
flict,  which  must  eonie  oft'  to-morrow.  We  took 
our  position  on  the  line  very  early  in  the  morning', 
and  commenced  the  construction  of  temporary 
hreast-works  of  logs  and  rails,  which  under  the 
shades  of  a  heavy  fog  that  hung  over  us  during 
the  morning,  we  succeeded  in  forming  to  such  a 
good  advantage  that  we  were  enabled  to  hold  it, 
against  the  many  desperate  charges  made  on  us  on 
the  second  day  of  the  battle.  At  about  half  past 
eight  o'clock,  the  rebel  attack  opened  on  our  left 
with  skirmish  tiring.  From  this  the  attack  he- 
came  general  all  along  the  line;  in  our  Front  the 
skirmishers  advanced  only  a  respectable  distance, 
if  you  please,  until  they  halted  to  await  their  re 
serve,  which  was  soon  brought  up;  in  a  few  mo 
ments  we  heard  the  i/c/f,  and  here  they  came,  hut 
they  too  concluded  to  not  venture  up  too  close, 
hut  stopped  and  took  shelter  behind  trees,  for  a 
little  while  and  then  retreated.  In  about  an  hour 
thev  had  gathered  new  courage  and  fresh  recruits, 
and  here  they  came  again.  This  time  they  yelled 
awfully,  but  still  they  did  not  scare  us  very  much. 
The  boys  let  them  come  as  close  as  they  thought 
was  prudent,  and  then  a  few  well  directed  volleys 
made  them  seek  shelter  again.  In  a  few  moments 
this  squad  went  back  after  more  recruits.  This 
same  thing  was  kept  up  at  least  once  every  hour 
through  out  the  entire  day,  and  there  was  only 


2-*i8  HISTORY  OF  THJ:  SIXTH  REGIMENT. 

one  rebel  who  ever   <li<l  succeed  in  reaching  our 

works,  and  he  got  so  close  he  was  afraid  to  leave 
his  tree  to  start  back;  the  boys  got  to  shooting  at 
the  tree,  and  it  got  too  hot  tor  him,  and  he  held 
his  hat  out  to  one  side  and  waved  it  up  and  down 
and  the  Colonel  stopped  the  shooting  and  called  to 
him  to  come  in,  which  he  did  as  fast  as  his  leifs 
could  bring  him.  lie  was  a  great,  big  six-footer 
and  the  best  tickled  man  I  ever  saw. 

\Ve  held  this  position  until  a  late  hour  in  the 
evening,  when  we  received  orders  to  retreat,  or 
rather  the  order  was  to  fall  back  a  short  distance 
to  a  new  position,  and,  in  fact,  I  thought  this  was 
just  what  we  were  to  do,  until  I  noticed  we  did 
not  stop  at  the  point  designated.  Then,  and  not 
till  then,  did  I  have-  the  least  idea  that  we  were 
leaving  the  field.  We  left  the  field  in  good  order, 
and  with  no  confusion  whatever.  In  fact,  there 
was  not  the  slightest  signs  of  fear,  fright,  or  de 
moralization  in  the  regiment.  Still,  1  am  ready  to 
admit  that  the  true  condition  of  affairs  was  not 
known  among  the  boys,  neither  am  I  prepared  to 
say  what  a  full  knowledge  of  all  the  facts  might 
have  produced. 

The  boys  will  please  excuse  me  for  noting  a 
very  amusing  little  thing  that  happened  as  we  wciv 
falling  back,  and  when  we  had  if  one  only  a  short 
distance  to  the  rear,  Captain  Rodai'inel,  of  Com 
pany  E,  was  lu-ard  to  hollow  out  at  the  top  of  his 
voice,  and  at  the  same  time  was  seen  to  bound  off 
through  the  briers  like  a  Texas  steer,  holding  one 


THIRTY-SECOND   SENT    TO    HELP   THE    SIXTH.  239 

hand  behind  liini.  Some  of  the  hoys  run  to  see 
what  could  be  done  for  him,  for  all  knew  he  was 
shot  ;  and  when  asked  where  he  was  hit,  between 
tears  and  groans  lie  said  :  a  Oh  !  my  God,  only 
think  of  it,  I  am  shot  in  the ."  A  elose  exam 
ination  showed  that  a  spent  hall  had  hit  him  as 
lie  claimed,  hut  had  neither  went  through  the 
clothing  nor  hroke  the  skin. 

But  before  we  retreat  too  far,  let  us  make  a  note 
of  what  was  going  on  along  other  parts  of  the  line, 
as  well  as  observations  among  ourselves.  The 
temporary  breastworks,  behind  which  we  felt  so  se 
cure,  consisted  of  three  pine  logs,  two  on  the  ground, 
close  together,  while  the  third  one  was  placed 
on  top  of  these,  and  made  a  defense  of  two  ami  a 
half  or  three  feet  high,  according  to  the  si/e  of  the 
logs.  By  getting  down  behind  these  logs,  only 
our  heads,  or  perhaps  our  heads  and  shoulders, 
would  be  exposed, and  then  I  want  to  tell  you  that 
these  logs  are  mighty  good  things  to  stop  bullets. 

On  one  occasion,  when  they  thought  the  charge 
on  us  was  going  to  he  more  than  we  could  stand, 
the  Thirty-second  Indiana  was  sent  up  to  help  us. 
They  came  up  with  a  hound,  and  dropped  down 
behind  the  works  along  with  us.  In  a  moment, 
their  Colonel  (Willich)  came  down  the  line,  carry 
ing  his  hat  in  his  hand  (an  old  slouch  wool  hat). 
This  old  hat  was  rolled  up  in  a  long,  club-like 
shape,  and  every  once  in  a  while  he  would  hit  a 
fellow  a  crack  over  the  back  with  this  club,  and 
say:  "Go  in,  boys,  and  give  'em  hell."  and  \vas 
.al]  the  time  cursing  in  Dutch. 


240  HISTORY    OF    THE    MX  Til     KKOIMKNT. 

Jonathan  Burton,  of  my  company,  received  an 
ugly  wound,  and  was  sent  to  the  rear.  I  had  no 
ticed  that  one  fellow  was  a  little  cautious  about 
getting  his  head  too  far  above  the  logs.  I  picked 
up  Burton's  gun  ami  handed  him.  and  said: 
"  Here,  give  me  your  gun  and  load  this  one."'  I 
picked  out  my  man  and  tired.  As  soon  as  he  had 
loaded,  we  again  changed  guns.  Again  T  selected 
my  man  and  fired.  We  kept  up  this  double  work 
until  the  gun  barrels  got  so  hot  that  I  thought  1 
was  in  more  danger  than  the  man  I  was  shooting  at, 
ami  then,  if  the  other  follow  was  not,  I  was  getting 
about  enough  of  it.  At  times,  when  everything 
would  seem  to  be  <juiet  in  our  front,  the  roar  of 
artillery  and  rattle  of  musketry,  both  on  our  right 
and  left,  was  simply  terrific,  and  at  times  our  right 
would  seem  to  be  pressed  back  until  the-  rebels 
would  be  yelling  away  in  our  rear,  while  at  the 
same  time  our  loft  would  be  driven  back  until  I 
thought  sure  the  Kossville  road  was  gone.  Our 
line  of  battle  at  one  time  was  just  in  the  shape  of 
a  letter  V,  with  our  own  division  at  the  apex. 

dust  at  this  crisis  I  remarked  to  our  Major.  ('. 
1).  Campbell,  that  our  situation  was  a  vorv  dan 
gerous  one.  "  Yes,"'  he  said,  a  it  is  good  fighting 
all  around  us."  While  engaged  in  this  convoca 
tion  we  both  instinctively  turned  and  stalled  to 
ward  Colonel  Tripp.  who  was  some  thirty  steps 
distant.  We  had  gone  only  a  few  steps  when  a 
volley  from  the  approaching  rebels  on  our  trout. 
tired  at  our  picket  line,  caused  us  to  go  at  once  t«» 


COLONEL    TRIP!'    WOUNDKD    AT    THE    FRONT.  241 

our  post  of  duty.  In  a  minute  I  looked  back, and 
saw  the  boys  gathering  around  Colonel  Tripp, 
who  was  prostrated  on  the  ground.  I  knew  lie 
was  wounded,  and  went  to  his  assistance  as  soon 
as  I  could  leave  my  post.  Major  Campbell  at 
once  ordered  a  detail,  and  lie  was  sent  to  the  rear. 
The  wound  was  very  severe  and  painful — a  hall 
had  shattered  his  leg  below  the  knee.  The  hrave 
colonel  refused  to  have  his  limb  amputated,  and 
in  time  he  recovered  so  as  to  he  sent  to  his  home 
at  North  Yernon,  and  although  he  lived  until  the 
12th  day  of  Fehruary,  1891,  he  suffered  untold 
misery  on  account  of  the  imperfect  healing  of  this 
wounded  limb.  But  his  suffering  is  over,  he  has 
gone  to  rest.  Kind  hearted,  yet  courageous  and 
hrave;  loyal  to  his  country,  for  which  he  suffered 
and  died,  our  brave  comrade  has  gone  to  rest ! 

After  the  death  of  Colonel  Baldwin,  Colonel  W. 
W.  Berry,  of  the  Fifth  Kentucky,  was  placed  in 
command  of  the  brigade,  and  he  ,was  in  command 
when  we  were  forced  to  surrender  the  field  on  the 
evening  of  the  20th  of  September.  \Ve  fell  back 
square  to  the  rear  until  we  reached  the  summit  of 
Mission  "Ridge.  By  this  time  the  shades  of  night 
had  again  settled  down  over  us,  and  the  stars  wen* 
shining  brightly.  I  happened  at  the  time  to  be 
standing  near  Colonel  Berry,  when  an  officer  on 
horseback  came  rapidly  riding  up  and  asked  the 
Colonel  if  he  was  the  officer  in  command  of  the 
brigade.  When  the  Colonel  answered  that  he  was, 
this  officer  turned  and  pointed,  as  I  then  supposed, 
16 


242  III>TOI:Y  OF  TIIK  >IXTH   I:K<.IMKVI  . 

nearlv  north,  and  said:  ••!)<>  you  see  that  star''1 
1  looked  myself  and  saw  a  brilliant  star  in  the  di 
rection  he  was  pointing.  ''Let  your  general  eourse 
be  toward  that  star;  move  rapidly  to  the  right 
along  the  ridge  until  you  strike  a  road.  You 
will  take  to  the  left  on  this  road  toward  Rossville." 
lie  then  put  the  spurs  to  his  horse  and  rode  rap 
idly  away,  and  the  movement  toward  Rossville 
commenced,  it  was  rough  and  rocky,  ovej*  logs 
and  stones,  up  hill  and  down,  through  brush  and 
timber  for,  as  well  as  I  can  guess  now.  about  two 
miles.  But  weary,  worn,  tired  and  hungry,  we 
sullenly  dragged  ourselves  along,  feeling  a  shame 
and  disgrace  that  had  never  been  experienced  by 
the  old  Sixth  before.  \Vefelt  mortified,  and  while 
not  a  word  was  said,  all  knew  that  we  were 
whipped  mid  weiv  retreating  from  the  field.  This 
was  new  medicine  to  us,  although  we  had  made 
the  "  Johnnies"  take  it  many  a  time.  But  I  will 
say  to  the  reader  that  it  was  bitter,  and  did  not  go 
down  verv  well.  The  Sixth  Indiana  boys  did  not 
like  it,  .and.  I  am  proud  to  say,  never  did  take  an 
other  dose  of  it  during  their  service  as  soldiers.  . 
But  we  strike  the  Rossville  road  and  turn  to  the 
left  as  directed,  and  soon  reach  the  village,  a  little 
plaee  named  in  honor  of  old  John  Ross,  an  Indian 
chief,  \vhos>e  home  used  to  be  in  the  Chickamauga 
Valley.  Here  we  found  plenty  of  good  water  and 
rations,  and  after  a  cup  of  cohYe  we  turned  in  t'»r 
the  balance  of  the  night.  We  were  called  up  early 
the  next  morninu'.  and  while  at  breakfast  General 


THE    MARCH    TO    CHATTANOOOA.  l>4-'> 

Rousseau,  our  old  brigade  commander,  came  up 
through  our  camp,  and  with  both  hands  extended, 
was  trying  his  best  to  shake  hands  with  every  man 
in  the  regiment,  and  it  was  simply  wonderful  how 
the  very  presence  of  this  old  hero  revived  and  in 
spired  a  spirit  of  enthusiasm  among  the  men.  He 
was  received  all  along  the  line  with  the  most  hearty 
greeting  and  cheers. 

After  coffee,  and  receiving  forty  rounds  of  am 
munition,  we  again  fell  in  ranks  and  took  our  [dace 
on  the  line.  The  whole  day  was  used  up  in  con 
structing  rather  substantial  works,  behind  which 
we  took  position  and  waited  and  listened  and  ex 
pected  to  hear  the  familiar  old  rebel  yell  from  the 
victorious  enemy.  The  day  passed  away  without 
the  expected  attack,  and  the  night  of  the  21st 
closed  down  the  curtain,  leaving  us  once  more  en 
veloped  in  darkness.  About  this  time  we  received 
orders  to  keep  on  all  our  accoutrements,  and  at 
the  same  time  were  put  to  building  fires  all  along 
the  line.  This  was  kept  up  until  about  10  o'clock, 
or  11  o'clock,  perhaps,  and  then  by  the1  light  of 
those  fires  we  started  for  Chattanooga.  While  the 
distance  is  only  a  few  miles,  yet  it  was  after  day 
light  when  we  arrived  in  Chattanooga.  The  move 
ment  of  the  army  was  so  slow,  owing  to  the 
crowded  condition  of  the1  road,  that  it  was  tiresome 
in  the  extreme.  We  would  start  off  rapidly  and 
move  two  or  three  hundred  yards,  and  then  stop 
short  and  perhaps  stand  there  for  ten  minutes — 
mav  be  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes — then  spurt  off 


244  HISTORY    OF    THi;    SIXTH     KF.<  i  I.M  KNT. 

airain  for  a  short  distance,  thru  another  dead  st<»ji 
tor  an  indefinite  time,  and  in  this  way  we  were 
kept  on  onr  feet  and  under  our  load  all  night.  I 
promised  Joshua  Chit  wood,  a  member  of  my  com 
pany,  that  I  would  carry  his  gun  the  balance  ot 
the  way  to  Chattanooga  and  never  sav  anvthing 
ahont  it  if  hi'  would  nicely  cook  and  let  me  help 
him  eat  a  chicken  he  stole  on  the  way  hack  that 
night.  Breakfast  was  a  little  late  next  morning, 
hut  Joshua,  myself  and  the  chicken  were  all  there; 
hut  somehow  the  chicken  did  not  hold  out  quite  as 
well  as  Josh  and  I  did,  although  it  was  a  good  one. 
Still  Josh  and  I  did  not  tind  anv  fault  with  it.  and 
called  it  an  even  deal. 

After  hreakfast  and  a  little  rest  the  bugle  once 
more  sounded  the  fall  in.  This  was  only  for  the 
purpose  of  getting  what  was  left  of  us  up  to 
gether  where  we  belonged.  The  different  brigades 
and  divisions  had  been  not  only  badly  shattered, 
but  badly  scattered.  These  different  parts  were 
brought  together,  suitable  camping  grounds  se 
lected,  and  once  more  we  were  ordered  to  "put  up 
tents." 

"Now  that  the  great  battle  is  over  and  we  have 
calmly  settled  down  to  rest  and  ponder  over  the 
results,  let  us,  if  we  can.  count  the  cost  ot'  life, 
also  the  misery  and  pain  and  suffering  this  terri 
ble  conflict  has  brought  about  : 

Cohmel  1*.  1*.  Baldwin  was  killed  on  the  U»tli  ot 
September  at  the  battle  of  Chiekamauga. 


TIIK     KKSTLTS    OK    THK    MATTLK.  245 

Captain  Samuel  Russell  was  killed  on  the  10th  of 
September  at  Chiekamauga. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  IL  Tripp  was  wounded  on 
the  20th  of  September  at  Chiekamauga. 

The  above  are  the  only  recorded  casualties  of 
our  regiment  among  the  officers.  If  there  were 
others  they  arc  not  recorded  and  I  have  no  way  of 
finding  it  out. 

Among  the  rank  and  file  there  were  men  killed 
in  Company — 

A.    Sergt.  Alexander  Joyce,  September  19. 
Michael  Connelly,  September  19. 
George  W.  Uowlinson,  September  20. 
Buell  E.  Spicer,  September  II). 
13.     Xone  killed  in  this  company. 
C.      George  W.  Mounts,  September  1!). 
James  L.  Jieynolds,  September  20. 
I).      Enoch  McFaden,  September  20. 

E.  Josiah  Graham,  September  20. 
Charles  Palmer,  September  li*. 

F.  None  killed  in  this  company. 

G.  Samuel  Miner,  September  20. 
William  Powell,  September  20. 

H.     Jacob  Lacy,  September  19. 
I.      Stephen  Clapp,  September  111. 

Lewis  Gloyd,  September  ID. 

Ira  Gordon,  September  19. 

William  E.  Griffith,  September  19. 
K.     John  W.  Arbnckle,  September  19. 

Tli is  makes  a  total  of  seventeen  men  and  two 
officers  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chiekamauga. 


24<>  HISTORY    UK    TIIK    >!\TII     HKMMKNT. 

There  were  no  otHcers  wounded  at  the  battle  ot' 
Chiekamanga    except    Colonel    Tripp.   as    already 
stated.      Among     the     rank     and     tile     there    was 
wounded  in  Company— 
A.     None  reported  wounded. 
I).      Script.  John  T.  Patterson,  died  January  !•>.  '64. 

Thomas  B.  Monroe,  wounded. 
C.      Xone  reported  \vonnde(l. 
I).     "William    Brush.  September  Id 

,    Owen   1*.  Scarf,  September  1^0. 

John  Bteele, September 20 ;  died  December  13. 

E.  Levi   Meads.  September  20. 
William  Perkins,  St>pU>nil»er  "2d 
(ieoro-e  \V.  Tolson,  September  ^0. 

F.  Oliver  II.  P.  Khoads.  Scptemhcr  20. 
Solomon  K.  Ames.  Septemhei-  ^0. 

(-J.     John  Anderson,  September  19. 

Lafayette  Camphell,  September  1(J. 

Jarvy  Hammon,  September  10. 

George  \V.  Parvis.  September  ^0. 

James  \V.  Parr,  September  20. 

Robert  Palmer.  September  19. 

Tlios.   Smith.  September   19;  died   September 
26.  lS6:-5. 

John    F.    Pond,    died     Febniary    19,    1*<'»4.    at 

Nasbville. 

II.      lames  Chandler,  September  19 ;  died  October 
1,  1863. 

William  H.  Johnson.  September  "Jo. 

George  \V.  Smith,  Sej>tcmbci-  20. 
I.       None  I'ejiorted  woinnled. 


THE    RKSULTS    OF    THE    15ATTLH.  '247 

K.    Jonathan  Burton,  September  20. 

Albion  Jackson,  September  20. 

Peter  Snyder,  September  20;  died  October  11, 


.lolin  Volmer,  Se])teinber  19;  captured. 

This  makes  a  total  of  twenty-live  men  and  one 
officer  wounded  at  Chiekamauga. 

Tliei'e  was  captured  enlisted  men  from  Com 
pany  — 

A.  Samuel  M.  Storms;   captured  and  died  in  An- 

dersonvillc  prison,  September  1(3,  1864. 
Scott  Davis,  captured  September  20. 
Lewis  C.  Lame,  captured  September  20. 
Frederick  A.  Thomas,  captured  September  20. 
John   McCarty",  captured  and  died  in  Andcr- 

sonville  prison,  November  (3,  1864. 
Thomas  J.  Todd,  captured  and  died  in  Ander 

son  vi  lie  prison,  August  24,  1804. 

B.  Thomas  B.  Monroe,  captured  ;  died  in   prison 

at  Danville,  Va.,  December  ID,  18U4. 
Danic'l  Rowdebusb,  captured;  died  in  Andcr- 

sonville  Prison,  August  20,  18<>4. 
Walter  S.  Twaddle,  captured. 

C.  James  Foreman,  captured  September  1!>. 
Edward  McEvenue,  captured  September  1!». 
Lott  Calbert,  captured  September  19. 

D.  John  AV.  Allen,  captured  September  1!'. 
Charles  11.  Clark,  cajttured  September  19. 
James  Du/an,  captui'ed;    died    in    Anderson- 

ville  Prison,  July  1<>,  18(>4. 
flames  Donaliew,  captured  and  exchanged. 


1^1 -N  HISTORY     or    nil-;    >I\TH     !;!•:<  il.MKVI  . 

\).      Albert  <;.  Land,  captured  Si-pt«-mher  19. 
I  leivules  McGinnis,  captured  September  1!>. 
Carl  A.  Ramspot,  captured  September  1!>. 
August  Schroerlucke,  captured  September  1{). 
John  \*.  Haynes,  captured  September  20. 
i   Benjamin    K.  White,  captured;  died   in    Iiic-li- 

uiond.  Va. 

K.      Tlie  record  shows  HOIK-  raptured  in  this  com 
pany. 

F.  William  Xoeton,  eaj>tnred  September  20. 
(^wen  cTones,  captured  September  ^0. 

G.  C'n-ei'o  Rowe, captured ;  died  in  prison  at  Dan 

ville.  Va.,  February  18,  18U4. 
II.     Xone  captured  in  this  company. 
I.       Henry  II.  Chance,  captured  September  25. 

Samuel  Miller,  captured  September  :2">. 

1  >avid  I).  Patterson,  captured  September  ^5. 

Richard  A.  Conner,  captured  September  25. 
K.     None,  except  wounded,  captured  in  this  com- 

This  makes  a  total  captured  at  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  not  accounted  for  as  wounded  and 
then  captured,  of  2!>  men  :  and  our  total  loss  at  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  of  the  killed,  wounded  and 
captured,  would  be : 

Officers   killed 2 

Enlisted  men  killed 17 

Total 19 


mi;  i-jEsri/rs  OF  TIII-:  UATTLE.  iMu 

Officers  wounded 1 

Knlisted  men  wounded 25 


Total 2(3 

Enlisted  iiK'ii  captured £9 


Making  a  total  loss  to  tlie  regiment  of 74 

General  II.  M.  Cist  says  of  this  battle:  UA11 
things  considered,  the  hattle  of  Cbiekamauga,  for 
the  forces  engaged,  was  the  hardest  fought  and 
the  bloodiest  hattle  of  the  rebellion.  Hindinan, 
who  fought  our  right  at  Horseshoe  Ridge,  says  in 
his  official  report  that  he  had  never  known  Fed 
eral  troops  to  tight  so  well,  and  that  he  never  saw 
Confederate  soldiers  tight  better. 

"  The  largest  number  of  troops  Rosecrans  had 
of  all  arms  on  the  field  during  the  two  days'  tight- 
ing  was  55,000  effective  men.  AVhile  the  return 
of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  for  September 
20,  1863,  shows  (>7,54S  present  for  duty,  equipped, 
still,  taking  out  the  troops  guarding  important 
points  within  the  department,  the  actual  force  was 
reduced  to  the  tigures  just  given.  Rosecrans' 
losses  aggregated:  Killed,  l.t>87:  wounded,  9,394; 
missing,  5,255:  making  a  total  loss  of  10,33(3. 

"  Bragg,  during  the  battle,  when  his  entire  five 
corps  were  engaged,  had  about  70,000  effective 
troops  in  line.  His  losses,  in  part  estimated,  were 
2,673  killed,  16,274  wounded,  and  2,003  missing, 
making  a  total  of  20,950. 

"A    full     report    of   the    rebel    losses   was    never 


250  III-TOKY   «r   nn:  >IXTH 

made.  To  the  I'lii'iiiy.  the  results  of  tin-  cn^aLiv- 
ment  proved  a  victory  barren  of  any  lasting  bene- 
tits,  and  produced  no  adequate  results  to  the  im 
mense  drain  on  tlic  resources  of  liis  army.  In  a 
number  of  places  Bragg's  ofHeial  report  shows 
that  his  armv  was  so  crippled  that  he  was  not  able 
to  strengthen  one  portion  of  his  line,  when 
needed,  with  troops  from  another  part  of  the  field, 
and  alter  the  conflict  was  over  his  army  was  so  cut 
up  that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  follow  up  his 
apparent  success  and  secure  possession  ot  the  ob 
jective  point  of  the  campaign — Chattanooga.  This 
great  gateway  of  the  mountains  remaining  in  pos 
session  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  after 
Bra"'"'  had  paid  the  heavy  price  he  did  at  Cliicka- 
mauii'a.  proves  that  his  battle  was  a  victory  only 
in  name,  and  a  careful  examination  of  the  results 
and  their  cost  will  show  how  exceedingly  small  it 
was  to  the  enemy/ 

I  might  add  decidedly  to  the  interest  of  this  lit 
tle  work  by  giving  further  comments,  from  differ 
ent  authors,  as  to  the  cause  of  our  disaster,  etc.; 
also,  who  was  to  blame,  and  how  the-  mistake 
mi&rlit  have  heen  corrected  if  the  commanding 
general  had  used  the  proper  judgment  and  dis-" 
played  the  staying  qualities  of  (leneral  Thomas, 
but  I  must  refer  the  reader  to  larger  works  for 
this  information,  and  confine  myself  to  the  ob 
ject  of  this  work,  and  that  is  to  prepare  in  a  con 
venient  form  a  small  book,  in  which  shall  appear 
the  name  of  every  member  of  the  Sixth  Indiana 


THI-;  KKsri/rs  OF  TIII:  BATTLE.  251 

Volunteers,  showing  his  record  as  a  soldier  from 
the  date  of  liis  enlistment  to  tin1  dose  of  liis  ser 
vice.  Such  a  hook  will  bo  a  nice  keepsake,  not 
only  for  the  old  comrades  themselves,  hut  for  their 
sons  and  daughters,  as  well  as  the  friends  of  the 
soldier. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

THE  SIE(;E  OF  CHATTANOOGA. 

Our  supplies  cut  off — Men  starved  to  walking  shadows— Thousands 
of  horses  and  mules  die  — Bragg  sure  of  an  easy  victory— Gen 
eral  Kosecrans  relieved  — Grant  takes  command — The  capture 
of  Brown's  Ferry-  Plenty  of  rations  come  pouring  in — Plans 
for  the  Battle  of  Chattanooga — The  problem  changed — Sher 
man  is  coming — Tbe  rebel  President  visits  Chattanooga— The 
Union  army  reorganized. 

Tin-  fortifications  left  by  General  Brai^r  were 
speedily  strengthened  by  General  Roseerans,  who. 
however,  made  no  effort  to  bold  Lookout  Moun 
tain  or  the  river  below  Chattanooga.  His  aim 
was  to  bold  his  bridges  at  tbe  town  and  present 
strong  lines  to  tbe  enemy.  For  a  few  davs  Gen 
eral  I>ra<r<r  threatened  to  attack,  but  soon  posted 
his  forces  to  besiege  and  starve  tbe  armv  wbirb  lie 
bad  failed  to  overwhelm  in  battle.  His  lines  ex 
tended  from  tbe  river  below  to  tbe  river  above  us, 
oi'  in  the  form  of  a  borse  sboe,  witb  botb  points 
resting  on  tbe  river.  Tins  left  us  in  a  sbape  that 
we  could  neither  <jet  up  or  down  tbe  river.  To 
tbe  rear,  tbe  only  road  tbat  was  open,  was  over 
the  rough  bills,  then  down  through  Sequatchie 
Valley  to  Bridgeport,  a  distance  of  sixty  miles, 
and  everything  in  tbe  wav  of  supplies  bad  to  be 


OUR   SUPPLIES    CUT    OFF. 

hauled  over  these  roads.  To  supply  an  army  of 
forty  thousand  was  a  great  undertaking  even  in 
good  weather,  Imt  with  the  rainy  season  that  soon 
set  in,  and  the  incessant  hauling,  wearing  out  the 
mules,  the  daily  rations  for  the  army  were  con 
stantly  growing  less  and  less,  and  on  the  1st  day 
of  October  General  Longstreet  crossed  the  Ten 
nessee  and  made  a  dash  on  our  trains  and  captured 
a  large  number  of  wagons  loaded  with  rations  for 
our  army.  lie  burned  over  three  hundred  wagons 
and  killed  a  large  numher  of  animals.  This  loss 
in  wagons,  with  the  roads  becoming  almost  im 
passable  by  reason  of  the  heavy  rains  and  the 
growing  weakness  of  the  animals,  lessened  daily 
the  amount  of  supplies  brought  into  the  town,  so 
that  our  troops  were  suffering  for  food,  and  were 
in  danger  of  being  starved  out  of  Chattanooga. 
This  was  what  Bragg  was  quietly  waiting  for. 

To  supply  an  army  some  forty  thousand  strong 
by  wagon  transportation,  over  rough  mountain 
roads  a  distance  of  sixty  miles,  Bragg  knew  was 
an  impossibility,  and  that  unless  other  lines  were 
Opened  up  the  evacuation  of  the  place  was  only  a 
question  of  time.  As  the  forage  became  reduced 
the  artillery  horses,  for  which  there  was  no  im 
mediate  need,  had  their  rations  cut  off,  and  they 
died  in  large  numbers,  starved  to  death.  The  sup 
plies  became  so  short  that  parts  of  crackers  and 
corn,  dropped  in  handling  the  packages,  were 
eagerly  seized  and  eaten,  to  stay  the  demands  of 


•_>;>4  HISTORY    OK    TIN.    H\TH     REGIMENT. 

hunger;  and  still  tin-  pressure  was  growing  daily, 
and  no  one  knew  how  it  would  ultimately  end. 

However,  not  for  an  instant  was  the  idea  enter 
tained  of  abandoning  the  town.  The  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  had  won  Chattanooga,  and  there  they 
proposed  remaining.  I  have  heard  of  men  starv 
ing  to  death  under  various  circumstances,  and 
have  even  tried  to  picture  in  my  imagination  the 
pale,  thin,  death-like  features  of  the  victim  as  some 
horrihle  story  of  shipwrecked  unfortunates  have 
heen  portrayed  to  my  mind. 

But  it  was  left  for  me  to  see,  during  the  siege  at 
Chattanooga,  the  poor  hoys  of  my  own  company 
starved  into  walking  skeletons — pale,  thin-faced. 
sickly  looking  men,  so  weak  that  they  would  stag 
ger  as  tliev  walked — detailed  for  duty,  and  that, 
too,  when  they  could  scarcely  stand  steady  on 
their  feet.  I  used  to  take  a  basket  and  go  down 
in  town  and  buy  anything  I  could  find  for  sale  in 
the  way  of  food,  regardless  of  pi-ice,  and  distribute 
among  those  most  needy.  When  we  tirst  went 
into  camp  in  Chattanooga,  we  had  some  bacon. 
On  all  this  bacon  the  skin  is  as  hard  as  raw-hide 
leather.  This  is  trimmed  otf  and  thrown  away. 
One  day  I  saw  one  of  the  hoys  with  a  sharpened 
stick  picking  around  among  the  camp  sweeping- 
back  of  the  tents,  and  I  asked  him  what  he  was 
hunting  for.  He  said,  "  \Vhen  the  boys  had  meat 
thev  used  to  throw  the  skins  back  there,  and  I  am 
trying  to  tind  a  mess."  Not  only  he,  but  others, 
would  hunt  these  meat  skins,  wash  and  chew  them 


THOUSANDS    OF    HOUSES    AND    MULES    DIE.  2.~if> 

as  a  sweet  morsel.  The  old  Sixth  will  always  re 
member  Chattanooga.  Many  of  the  hoys  had  the 
scurvy,  while  the  foundation  for  many  other  dis 
eases  was  laid  while  in  camp  here  at  Chattanooga. 
J>ut  this  condition  ot  affairs  could  not  last  long. 
Our  condition  had  simply  become  critical,  desper 
ate  !  Something  must  be  done,  and  that  quickly, 
its  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  had  a  more  to  be 
dreaded  enemy  to  contend  with  than  the  rebels, 
who  had  us  nearly  surrounded. 

Feed  for  the  artillery  horse  and  mule  teams  was 
entirely  exhausted,  and  they  were  led  down  under 
the  river  bank  while  still  able  to  walk,  and  there 
allowed  to  die  or  be  killed  by  the  thousands.  The 
men  had  also  become  too  weak  to  do  duty,  and 
were  in  a  condition  to  become  an  easy  prey  for 
any  serious  disorders  or  contagious  diseases  that 
might  attack  the  army.  lie  re  again  is  another 
case  where  the  patience  and  power  of  endurance 
ot  the  soldier  was  exemplified.'  The  Sixth  boys 
bore  their  share  of  these  trials  and  hardships  like 
heroes,  never  for  a  moment  doubting  the  ability 
of  the  noble  old  commander  who  saved  the1  day  at 
•Chickamaiiga,  and  who  was  now  our  commander- 
in  chief,  to  develop  and  mature  some  plan  which 
would  eventually  deliver  us  from  this  desperate 
condition. 

This  condition  of  things  developed  the1  plans  for 
the  capture  of  Brown's  Ferry,  which  were  not 
only  planned  but  just  ready  to  be  executed  by  the 


'_'•">»'•  HlsT«>i;y    OK    TIM:    SIXTH     KKuIMKNT. 


;iiiin<>r  of  them,  General   Roaecrans,  when  In-  un 
relieved  of  his  command. 

General  Cist  says:  "  On  RoBecrans'  ivturn  from 
a  visit  to  Brown's  Ferry  on  the  l!>th  of  Octoher. 
where  lie  had  heen  witli  \V.  F.  Smith,  his  chief 
engineer,  making  /">  plans  for  hr'niging  supplies 
to  that  point,  he  found  the  order  awaiting  him 
relieving  him  of  his  command.  Quietly  making 
his  preparations  for  his  departure  that  night  over 
tin-  mountains  to  Stevenson,  he  wrote  out  his  t'aiv- 
well  order,  to  he  printed  and  issued  the  next  day, 
and  without  even  bidding  his  staff  goo<l-hv, 
plaeed  Thomas  in  command  and  started  for  his 
home  in  Cincinnati. 

u  When  it  was  known  that  Rosecrans  had  heen 
relieved,  and  that  he  had  left  the  army  for  tin- 
North,  there  was  universal  regret  that  the  troops 
that  had  loved  and  trusted  him  should  no  longer 
follow  his  skillful  leadership.  Every  soldier  in  his 
army  felt  that  he  had  a  personal  friend  in  "Old 
Kosy." 

••  <  hie.  of  (Jrant's  first  acts  on  taking  command 
was  to  telegraph  Thomas  to  hold  Chattanooga  at 
all  hazards.  The  commander,  who  had  seen  his 
troops  on  less  than  half  rations  for  nearly  a 
month,  with  steadily  approaching  sii^ns  <»f  starva 
tion,  hardly  needed  an  intimation  that  what  had 
heen  gained  hy  the  sacrifice  <>n  Chiekamauga's 
field  was  not  to  he  yielded  up  without  a  struggle. 
Thomas  replied  :  »  We  will  hold  the  town  till  we 
starve.' 


(iKANT    TAKES    COMMAND.  257 

"  On  the  24th  of  October,  Grant,  in  company  with 
Thomas  and  W.  F.  Smith,  made  a  personal  inspec 
tion  across  the  river  of  the  situation  with  refer 
ence  to  carrying  out  the  plan  of  Rosecrans,  for  the 
opening  of  the  road  by  Brown's  Ferry,  and,  ap 
proving  of  it,  Thomas  was  directed  to  proceed  to 
execute  it." 

General  Thomas  says  that  preliminary  steps  had 
already  been  taken  to  execute  this  vitally  im 
portant  movement  before  the  command  of  the  De 
partment  devolved  on  him. 

We  have  but  one  motive  in  making  these  quota 
tions,  and  that  is  to  show  that  the  "  plan  "  for  the 
capture  ot  Brown's  Ferry,  for  the  purpose  of  open 
ing  up  a  line  by  which  the  army  could  be  supplied 
with  the  rations  which  they  so  badly  needed,  was 
the  work  of  General  Rosecrans,  and  had  he  re 
mained  in  command  of  the  army  ten  days  longer, 
it  would  have  been  executed. 

After  all  the  preliminary  arrangements  had  been 
made,  Thomas  placed  Chief  Engineer  W.  F.  Smith, 
in  charge  of  the  expedition;  and  detached  Tur- 
chin's  and  Hazen's  brigades  to  do  the  work.  Smith 
was  directed  to  organize  a  picked  force,  armed 
from  these  brigades,  to  be  divided  in  to  fifty  squads 
of  twenty-four  men  each,  under  the  command  of 
an  officer,  who  was  to  float  down  the  river  in  pon 
toons  that  night,  a  distance  by  the  bends  of  the 
river  of  some  nine  miles.  While  across  Moccasin 
Point  from  the  river  above  to  the  river  .below  is 
less  than  half  that  distance.  The  reader  will 
17 


258  HISTORY    OF   THK    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

notice  that  this  expedition  down  the  river  con 
sisted  of  about  1,500  men,  and  would  require  some 
fifty  boats  each  carrying  the  twenty-four  picked 
men,  their  commanding  officer,  with  three  or  four 
non-commissioned  officers.  And  my  recollections 
now,  are  that  ten  of  these  boats  were  manned  by 
the  Sixth  Indiana,  the  Company  K,  to  which  I 
belonged,  furnished  the  men  for  one  boat,  which 
was  placed  under  the  command  of  First  Lieuten 
ant  G.  B.  Green.  I  can  not  now  tell  what  officers 
of  the  regiment  commanded  the  other  boats,  but 
each  company  of  the  regiment  furnished  an  officer 
to  command  its  own  men.  Moccasin  Point  is  just 
in  the  shape  of  a  horsc-slioe,  with  the  toe  running 
up  to  the  point  of  Lookout  Mountain,  except  just 
room  to  allow  the  Tennessee  River  to  pass  between 
the  two ;  and  it  was  around  this  bend  the  boats 
had  to  pass,  while  the  remnants  of  the  regiments, 
which  furnished  the  river  force,  closely  followed  by 
Turchin's  brigade,  went  over  the  point,  or,  as  it 
were,  from  heel  to  heel  of  the  horse-shoe.  Every 
thing  ready,  the  first  boats  "let  go,''  at  just  three 
o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  27th,  followed  in 
quick  succession  by  each  of  the  others.  The  men 
were  to  lie  down  in  the  boats,  and  not  a  word  to 
be  spoken  above  a  whisper,  the  boats  were  to  hug 
the  point  as  closely  as  possible  and  allowed  to  float 
perfectly  quiet  and  without  noise,  and  not  a  man 
moved,  except  the  fellow  who  did  the  guiding  of 
the  boat  and  he  lay  flat  down  and  used  only  a 
small  paddle.  The  reader  must  understand  that 


THE    CAPTURE    OF    BROWN'S    FERRY.  259 

the  reason  for  such  secrecy  was  that  about  a  mile 
below  the  point  we  started  from,  we  struck  the 
rebel  pickets,  standing  all  along  the  bank  of  the 
river  in  speaking  distance  of  each  other;  and  the 
very  first  indication  of  our  intentions  would  have 
alarmed  the  entire  rebel  line  along  the  river  and 
would  have  defeated  the  objects  of  the  expedition. 
The  rebels  did  see  the  boats  as  they  passed  along 
down,  but  seeing  no  men  about  them  supposed 
them  empty  boats  drifting  with  the  current,  and 
gave  the  matter  no  farther  attention.  A  slight 
fog  veiled  the  moon,  and  the  boats  glided  noise 
lessly  with  the  current.  Early  dawn  found  us 
near  the  designated  point  for  landing  and  the  fore 
most  boat  steered  for  the  rebel  side  of  the  river, 
and  as  it  neared  the  shore,  the  surprised  rebel 
pickets  fired  a  harmless  volley  and  fled.  In  quick 
succession  the  boats  landed  and  the  men  leaped 
upon  the  bank  and  ascended  the  adjacent  hill  to 
meet  and  drive  back  a  small  force  that  had  hurried 
forward,  in  response  to  the  warning  volley.  There 
was  a  sharp  engagement  for  a  moment,  and  all  was 
over.  The  boats  immediately  brought  over  those 
who  had  come  over  the  Point  and  we  soon  had  a 
firm  hold  upon  the  hill.  A  heavy  skirmish  line 
was  thrown  out  in  front,  while  a  detachment  with 
axes  went  vigorously  to  work  felling  trees  and 
constructing  barricades  and  abatis.  In  two  hours 
the  defenses  were  such  as  to  bid  defiance  to  the 
enemy.  This  accomplished,  the  pontoon  bridge 
was  speedily  thrown  across  the  river,  right  in  the 


260  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    KEGIMKNT. 

face  of  the  enemy  although  they  kept  up  a  vigor 
ous  cannonading  from  their  batteries  on  the  front 
of  Lookout  Mountain.  The  entire  Union  loss 
in  this  expedition  was  six  killed,  twenty-three 
wounded  and  nine  missing. 

The  Sixth  had  killed,  in  this  engagement,  Lieut. 
George  B.  Green,  of  Company  K,  and  William  J. 
Robertson,  Company  C,  while  John  M.  Curl,  of 
Company  E,  was  captured;  also,  Thomas  O'Xeil, 
of  Company  G,  captured  and  died  in  Anderson- 
ville  Prison,  April  12,  18(34.  The  rebel  loss  was 
six  captured,  and  six  of  their  men  were  buried  by 
our  boys.  But  we  also  captured  twenty  beeves, 
six  pontoons,  and  some  two  thousand  bushels  of 
corn.  The  beeves  were  slaughtered  and  issued  to 
the  boys,  while  the  corn  was  divided  among  the 
horses  and  the  boys,  and  once  more  we  had  a 
''square  meal,''  and  as  I  never  heard  of  any  of 
them  eating  the  pontoons,  I  suppose  they  were 
used  for  another  purpose.  After  we  got  our  lines 
thoroughly  established  we  were  ordered  to  go 
into  regular  camp,  and  did  so  over  on  the  Brown's 
Ferry  side  of  the  river,  but  in  a  few  days  we  were 
ordered  back  over  to  Chattanooga,  and  occupied 
our  old  camping  ground  again. 

Once  more  we  take  pleasure  in  scoring  another 
victory  for  our  grand  old  Sixth  Regiment.  This 
Brown's  Ferry  expedition  was  one  full  of  danger. 
It  was  very  hazardous,  indeed.  Tpon  its  success 
ful  execution  depended  the  welfare  of  the  entire 


GENERAL    SMITH'S    SELECTION.  261 

army.  Mistakes  and  blunders  would  bring1  cer 
tain  disaster  and  disgrace,  not  only  upon  us  who 
were  entrusted  with  its  execution,  but  upon  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland.  All  these  things  were 
fully  discussed  at  headquarters,  and  General  Smith 
was  cautioned  to  select  men  and  officers  whom  he 
€ould  depend  upon.  They  should  be  brave,  cour 
ageous  and  skillful.  They  should  be  tried  vet 
erans.  General  Smith  had  the  army  to  select  from, 
and  his  choice  was  Colonel  Baldwin's  old  brigade, 
consisting  of  the  Sixth  Indiana,  First  Ohio,  Fifth 
Kentucky  and  Ninety-third  Ohio,  and  General 
Turchin's  Brigade,  consisting  entirely  of  Ohio  vet 
eran  troops.  The  regiments  were  the  Eleventh, 
Thirty-sixth,  Eighty-ninth  and  Ninety- second  Ohio 
infantry. 

The  Sixth  Indiana  boys  will  remember  that 
Colonel  Baldwin  was  our  Brigade  Commander  up 
until  he  was'  killed  at  Chickamauga,  on  the  19th 
of  September.  Then  Colonel  W.  W.  Berry,  of  the 
Fifth  Kentucky,  or  Louisville  Legion,  was  placed 
in  command.  But  for  this  expedition,  General 
Hazen  took  command  of  our  brigade.  Here  we 
have  them — one  Indiana  regiment  (our  dear  old 
Sixth),  one  Kentucky  regiment  (our  beloved  sister, 
the  dear  old  Legion),  and  two  Ohio  regiments. 
These  old  veteran  regiments  have  assigned  them  a 
task,  which,  if  successful,  would  not  only  add  lau 
rels  to  their  crown,  but  reflect  credit  and  honor 
upon  the  whole  army.  History  tells  how  well 
they  did  their  work.  And  now,  boys,  being  the 


262  HISTORY    OK    THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

only  Indiana  regiment  selected  to  perform  this 
hazardous  task,  should  we  not  feel  proud  of  it, 
and  especially  so  when  we  remember  our  success? 
It  might  he  well  to  note  that  the  enemy  did  not 
pretend  to  recapture  Brown's  Ferry,  and  as  many 
troops  were  thrown  across  the  river  at  this  ferry 
on  the  same  day  it  was  taken,  we  need  not  wonder 
that  Bragg  abandoned  the  idea  as  a  hopeless  task. 

"The  problem  of  supplies  was  soon  solved,  and 
the  question  now  was  not  how  long  should  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  hold  Chattanooga,  but 
how  long  should  the  rebel  banners  be  permitted 
to  wave  on  Lookout  Mountain  and  Missionary 
Ridge?" 

This  change  of  problems  had  been  produced  by 
measures  commenced  by  General  Rosecrans,  con 
tinued  under  General  Thomas,  elaborated  by  Gen 
eral  Smith,  and  which,  having  been  approved  by 
General  Grant,  were  executed  by  his  authority. 

The  loss  of  Lookout  Valley,  the  river,  and  the 
direct  roads  to  Bridgeport,  virtually  threw  Bragg 
upon  the  defensive.  But  he  still  maintained  his 
lines  on  Lookout  Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge, 
and  through  the  intervening  valley,  in  semblance 
of  besieging  effort,  until  the  army  with  which  lie 
had  so  often  battled  leaped  from  its  intrenchments 
and  hurled  him  and  his  oft-defeated  army  from 
their  lofty  battlements. 

For  four  weeks  Chattanooga  was  the  scene  of 
the  most  comprehensive  activities.  In  the  rebound 
from  the  constraint  of  investing  lines,  the  menace 


(IFNERAL    SHERMAN    IS   OOMINCi.  263 

of  starvation  and  the  foreshadows  of  direct  dis 
aster,  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  displayed  new 
vigor  and  spirit,  while  the  resources  of  the  military 
division  were  made  tributary  to  the  concentration 
of  forces  to  operate  offensively.  All  the  troops  of 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  that  could  be  spared 
from  the  rear,  especially  cavalry  and  artillery,  were 
ordered  forward,  and  General  Sherman,  long  be 
fore  ordered  to  Chattanooga,  but  delayed  hitherto 
by  repairing  roads,  was  directed  to  move  the  Fif 
teenth  Corps  as  rapidly  as  possible,  paying  no  fur 
ther  attention  to  the  roads  than  the  swift  move 
ment  of  his  troops  required.  General  W.  F.  Smith, 
Chief  Engineer,  and  General  Brannon,  Chief  of 
Artillery  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  were 
charged  with  preparing  the  fortifications  for 
heavier  guns  than  those  with  the  army.  New  pon 
toon  bridges  were  built  across  the  Tennessee,  and 
the  coming  of  troops,  supplies  and  munitions,  and 
the  din  of  preparation  for  battle,  known  to  be  im 
minent,  would  have  made  Chattanooga  historic 
without  the  clash  of  arms  which  soon  electritied 
the  continent,  or  the  previous  battle  involved  in 
gaining  possession. 

Battlefields  become  a  part  of  history  equally  with 
the  story  of  the  conflicts  enacted  upon  them. 
They  are  mapped  on  stone  and  steel,  and  delineated 
in  pen  pictures,  appear  in  historic  narration,  in  in 
timate  association  with  the  deeds  of  heroes.  Not 
alone  do  the  topographical  features,  which  suggest 
plans  of  battle  and  dominate  tactical  combinations, 


2H4  HISTORY    OF    THK   SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

become  historic,  but  those  also  of  mere  grandeur 
and  beauty.  Whenever  the  hosts  of  war  com 
mingle  in  deadly  strife,  where  nature,  has  been 
lavish  of  her  gifts,  even  the  name  of  him  who  may, 
perchance,  offer  his  humble  cot  for  the  tire  of  war 
to  burn,  or  its  enginery  to  level,  has  association  on 
the  historic  page  with  him  who  commands  an 
army;  and  in  all  that  is  grandly  concomitant  witli 
grandest  battles,  Chattanooga -is  pre-eminent. 

The  town  is  surrounded  with  almost  all  the 
types  of  the  grand  and  beautiful  in  nature.  Moun 
tains  far  and  near,  rising  from  water  and  plain, 
sharply  defined  by  low  valleys,  and  the  river 
curving  at  their  feet;  subordinate  hills,  with 
rounded  summits  and  undulating  slopes,  and  broad 
plains  delicately  penciled  here  and  there  by  wind 
ing  creeks  and  rivulets,  are  the  prominent  fea 
tures  of  nature's  amphitheatre,  in  the  center  of 
which  is  Chattanooga. 

Looking  to  the  southwest,  Lookout  Mountain, 
with  bold  front  and  craggy  crest,  is  seen  rising  ab 
ruptly  from  the  river  and  the  valleys  on  either 
side,  to  the  height  of  one  thousand  four  hundred 
and  sixty-four  feet  above  the  beautiful  Tennessee 
river,  which  rushes  rapidly  by  its  western  base. 
To  the  west,  Raccoon  Mountain  appears,  trending 
from  its  river  front  far  to  the  southwest,  parallel 
with  Lookout.  To  the  north,  Waldron's  Ridge 
forms  the  sky  line  far  to  right  and  left.  To  east, 
Missionary  Ridge,  with  indented  summit,  more 
humbly  takes  position,  hiding  the  lofty  ranges  far 


REBEL    PRESIDENT    VISITS    CHATTANOOGA.  265 

beyond.  To  the  south,  the  east  and  to  the  north 
east  stretches  the  plain  where  the  armies  were 
marshaled  for  the  assault  of  Bragg's  army  on 
Missionary  Kidge,  and  to  the  southwest,  twice 
across  the  river,  lies  the  valley  from  which  Hooker 
crept  slyly  up  the  mountain  steeps,  covered  with 
trees  and  shrubs,  standing  and  fallen,  and  with 
huge  fragments  of  stone,  which,  during  the  ages, 
have  dropped  from  the  ledges  overhanging  the 
crest,  to  give  battle  on  a  field  suited  to  the  stealthy 
belligerence  of  the  Indian,  but  adverse  in  every 
phase  to  the  repetition  of  all  the  precedents  of 
modern  warfare. 

But  this  battle-field  defies  description,  and  lie 
who  would  fully  appreciate  either  battle  or  field 
must  read  the  story  of  the  one  as  he  looks  down 
from  Lookout  Mountain  upon  the  magnificence  of 
the  other. 

My  dear  old  comrades  of  the  Sixth,  I  fear  we 
failed  to  fully  appreciate  the  great  beauty  of  this 
grand  scenery  when  stationed  there  as  soldiers,  but 
of  course  we  had  something  else  to  think  of  at 
that  time,  and  while  these  scenes  pass  before  my 
vision  in  grand  review,  I  imagine  that  I  can  yet 
hear  the  rebel  band  on  Missionary  Ridge  playing 
the  "Bonny  Blue  Flag"  or  "Dixie."  I  can  also, 
in  my  mind,  imagine  that  I  see  old  Bragg,  as  he 
stood  beside  the  Confederate  President  on  "  Pulpit 
Rock,"  up  on  Lookout  Mountain,  as  he  looked 
down  exultingly  upon  the  beleaguered  Yankee 
army  and  predicted  its  total  ruin.  But  the  foolish 


26(5  HISTORY    OF    THE   SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

old  dotard  failed  to  see  the  boiling  volcano  at  liis 
feet,  which  was  soon  to  hurst  forth  with  such  ter 
rible  destruction  to  himself  and  his  army  of  rebels. 

But  the  four  weeks  from  the  capture  of  Brown's 
Ferry  to  the  storming  of  Missionary  Ridge  was  a 
busy  month  for  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 
The  old  Sixth  Regiment  was  luxuriating  on  the 
bountiful  supply  of  fresh  army  rations,  taking 
just  exercise  enough  to  produce  a  good  appetite. 
The  boys  were  gaining  strength  every  day,  so  that 
when  the  25th  of  November  came  each  man  was 
himself  again,  and  ready  and  eager  for  the  fray. 

During  our  stay  at  Chattanooga  some  changes 
took  place  in  the  regiment  worthy  of  note.  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Ilagerman  Tripp  was  promoted  to 
colonel  of  the  regiment,  while  Major  Calvin  D. 
Campbell  was  promoted  to  lieutenant -colonel. 
William  P.  Dillon  was  promoted  captain  of  Com 
pany  D,  to  till  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of 
Captain  Russell,  who  was  killed  at  Chiekamauga. 
Lieutenant  Charles  C.  Briant  was  promoted  cap 
tain  in  Company  K,  while  Lewis  II.  Hill  was  pro 
moted  first  lieutenant  in  Company  K. 

After  General  Rosecrans  was  removed  from  the 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  Gen 
eral  George  H.  Thomas  was  placed  in  command. 
He  reorganized  the  army,  and,  consequently,  the 
Sixth  Indiana  finds  itself  a  part  of  the  Fourth 
Army  Corps,  commanded  by  Major-General  Gor 
don  Granger,  and  in  the  Second  Division,  com 
manded  by  Brigadier-General  T.  J.  Wood,  and  the 


THE    UNION    ARMY    REORGANI/ED.  267 

Second  Brigade  of  this  division,  commanded  by 
W.  B.  TIazen.  Our  brigade  was  now  composed  of 
the  Sixth  Indiana,  Fiftli  Kentucky,  Sixth  Ken 
tucky,  Twenty-third  Kentucky,  First  Ohio,  Sixth 
Ohio,  Forty-first  Ohio,  Ninety-third  Ohio  and  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  Ohio. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  BATTLE  or  CHATTANOOGA. 

Grant  requested  to  remove  non-combatants--November  23  we  go 
out  on  Brigade  drill — We  form  line  of  battle  and  move  to  the 
front — A  bayonet  charge  captures  the  first  line — We  halt  and 
watch  Hooker  and  Sherman — We  witness  the  fight  above  the 
clouds  —Our  boys  wild  with  enthusiasm — The  order  to  forward 
received  with  cheers — We  capture  the  line  at  the  foot  of  the 
hill— We  capture  Missionary  Ridge  without  orders — Behold 
the  demoralized  rebels  running — General  Wood  make?  us  a 
speech — Our  boy*  again  wild  with  joy — The  results  of  the 
battle — Comments  on  the  battle. 

On  the  20th  of  November  General  Bragg  noti 
fied  General  Grant  to  remove  all  non-combatants 
from  Chattanooga.  This  notice  Grant  interpreted 
as  an  intention  on  the  part  of  Bragg  to  withdraw 
his  forces  from  our  front,  and  directed  Thomas  to 
order  a  reconnoissance  in  front  of  Chattanooga 
that  General  Bragg  might  not  withdraw  his  army 
in  quietness,  if  such  was  his  intention.  Under  the 
general  direction,  to  ascertain  the  truth  or  falsity 
of  the  report  of  Bragg's  retreat,  General  Thomas 
organized  a  movement,  which,  in  expression  and 
unexpected  issue,  was  a  suitable  prelude  to  the 
grand  battle  of  which  it  constituted  the  initial  ag 
gression. 

The  enemy's  first  line  of  pickets  rested  a  short 
distance  east  of  the  Western  &  Atlantic  Kailroad 


WE    GO    OUT    ON    BRIGADE    DRILL.  269 

passing  in  front  of  the  hill  which  was  crowned 
with  Fort  Wood,  a  fortification  of  marked  eleva 
tion  and  strength.  Between  this  fort  and  the 
railroad  the  ground  at  first  descends  abruptly,  but 
soon  gently  and  smoothly,  and  blending  with  the 
slopes  of  other  hills  forms  a  broad  area,  suited  for 
the  review  of  an  army  or  its  formation  for  actual 
battle.  Upon  this  space,  about  noon  on  the  23d, 
several  divisions  formed  in  line  of  battle  in  plain 
view  from  all  the  commanding  positions  held  by 
the  enemy. 

Thomas  directed  General  Granger  to  throw  for 
ward  one  division  of  his  corps,  supported  ^  by 
another,  in  the  direction  of  Orchard  Knob,  to  dis 
cover  the  position  of  the  enemy,  if  he  still  remain 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  old  camp. 

The  boys  of  the  Sixth  Indiana  will  remember 
that  we  thought  we  were  only  out  for  the  purpose 
of  brigade  drill.  Our  division  (General  Wood's) 
was  designated  to  lead  first,  and  it  deployed  before 
the  fort.  Then  General  Sheridan's  moved  to  the 
right  of  General  Wood.  General  Howard's  corps 
formed  in  mass  in  rear  of  these  two  divisions,  etc. 
These  movements  were  regarded  by  the  enemy  as 
indicating  the  extension  of  our  lines  to  obtain  fuel, 
or  as  a  mere  pageant,  and  he  made  no  special 
preparation  to  resist  them. 

Orchard  Knob,  in  the  direction  of  which  the 
movement  was  ordered,  is  situated  half  way  from 
Chattanooga  to  Missionary  Ridge.  It  rises  ab 
ruptly  to  a  considerable  elevation  above  the  plain. 


270  HISTORY    OF   THK   SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

Between  it  and  the  lines  of  our  troops  the  ground 
is  low,  and  being  at  the  time  covered  in  part  with 
trees  and  brushes,  was  favorable  for  the  conceal 
ment  of  defenses  and  forces.  Along  the  western 
base  of  Orchard  Knob,  as  also  over  its  rocky  sum 
mit,  and  for  a  half  mile  to  the  southwest,  the 
enemy  had  barricades  of  logs  and  stones.  In  front 
of  these,  which  were  for  the  grand  guards,  were 
defenses  for  the  picket  reserves. 

At  about  2  P.  M.  General  Wood  moved  rapidly 
forward,  with  Ilazen's  brigade  on  the  right.  Wil- 
lich's  on  the  left,  and  Beatty's  in  reserve.  If  the 
boys  of  the  Sixth  had  not  changed  their  minds  as 
to  our  being  out  only  tor  the  purpose  of  drilling, 
before,  they  certainly  did  when  this  movement 
commenced,  for  it  attracted  the  attention  of  both 
armies,  and  in  its  developments  revealed  to  each 
the  nearness  of  a  general  battle,  and  if  General 
Bragg  had  previously  fancied  that  his  position  was 
so  strong  as  to  preclude  attack,  he  now  had  cause 
to  apprehend  that  the  trial  of  its  strength  was  at 
hand.  And  it  was  soon  evident  to  our  commanders 
that  the  enemy  was  still  in  position,  and  that  his 
withdrawal  was  improbable,  except  when  forced 
from  plain,  hill  and  mountain. 

It  is  not  at  all  strange  that  Ilazen's  brigade  of 
old  tried  veterans  should  have  been  again  placed 
in  the  front.  Our  boys  will  remember  how  orderly 
we  moved  to  the  front,  just  as  though  we  were  on 
drill  sure  enough;  but  we  needed  no  drilling  for 
this  occasion.  How  grandly  we  passed  to  the 


A    BAYONET    CHARGE.  271 

front,  just  a  little  to  the  right  of  Orchard  Knob, 
with  one  eye  on  the  rebels  and  the  other  on  the 
top  of  Missionary  Ridge.  Onward  we  moved  in 
harmony  with  the  grandeur  of  the  scenery.  In 
spired  by  the  consciousness  of  leading  our  grand 
army  into  battle,  and  that,  too,  in  full  view  of  both 
the  contending  armies,  our  boys  (Woods'  division) 
pressed  rapidly  forward.  Our  compact  lines, 
marred  by  no  straggling  to  the  rear,  swept  from 
position,  first  the  pickets  and  their  reserves,  and 
then  moved  without  halt  or  slackened  pace,  to  the 
attack  of  the  strong  line  on  the  hill.  Our  brigade 
met  with  stout  resistance  at  first,  but  they  were 
soon  forced  by  the  bayonet  to  yield  position,  leav 
ing  for  capture  the  Twenty-eighth  Alabama  regi 
ment,  and  its  flag. 

General  Woods'  division  lost  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  men  killed  and  wounded,  but  I  have 
no  means  at  hand  to  enable  me  to  tell  just  how 
many  our  regiment  lost,  but  my  recollections  are 
that  it  was  in  this  charge  that  Captain  Frank  I?. 
Strader  received  a  wound  from  which  he  died  on 
the  10th  day  of  the  following  December. 

The  gallantry  and  quick  dash  of  our  division  in 
this  charge  took  the  enemy  completely  by  surprise, 
and  secured  for  us  an  important  position,  and  gave 
the  type  of  the  grander  assaults  by  which  one  of 
the  most  decisive  victories  of  the  war  was  gained. 

We  now  occupied  a  most  important  position,  as 
we  held  nearly  all  the  high  ground  between  Fort 
Wood  and  Missionary  Ridge,  and  it  afforded  a 


272  HISTORY    OF   THE   SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

good  base  for  operations  against  the  enemy's  main 
lines  beyond. 

Late  in  the  evening  General  Wood  was  in 
structed  by  General  Thomas  to  hold  and  fortify 
the  position  which  he  had  unexpectedly  gained,, 
and  General  Wood  placed  Bridges'  Battery  of  six 
guns  on  Orchard  Knob,  during  the  night. 

The  next  day,  the  24th,  as  well  as  the  25th,  up 
until  about  3  P.  M.,  our  division  simply  held  its  line, 
without  any  attempt  at  an  advance,  and  these  are 
the  two  days  long  to  be  remembered  by  members 
of  the  Sixth  Indiana.  With  Sherman  on  our  left, 
and  Hooker  on  our  right,  both  in  full  view  of  our 
position,  the  boys  watched  with  eager  eyes  the 
progress  of  the  two  battles,  we  might  say.  The 
concentration  of  the  enemy  to  oppose  Sherman 
made  his  progress  very  slow.  We  could,  from  our 
position,  plainly  see  the  movement  of  the  troops 
on  both  sides.  It  was  charge  and  counter-charge;, 
our  boys  would,  with  a  most  furious  bayonet 
charge,  drive  the  enemy  from  his  rifle-pits,  only  to 
give  them  up  again  inside  of  perhaps  the  next 
thirty  minutes.  Reinforcements  sent  Sherman 
did  not  seem  to  add  to  his  strengh,  as  the  enemy's 
position  seemed  almost  impregnable.  But  one 
thing  sure,  Sherman  was  keeping  Bragg  right 
busy  to  watch  his  right  flank,  and  ii\  doing  this, 
he,  to  some  extent,  neglected  his  left,  and  here 
Hooker  was  giving  him  a  little  amusement. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  the  roar  of 
artillery  and  rattle  of  musketry  from  the  direction 


THE    FIGHT    ABOVE    THK    CLOUDS.  273 

of  Lookout  Mountain,  was  positive  evidence  that 
Hooker  was  making  it  hot  for  tlie  enemy,  who  held 
this  strong  position.  The  heavy  fog  and  mist  that 
eompletely  enveloped  the  north  end  of  Lookout 
Mountain  kept  ns  from  seeing  all  the  grand  hattle 
that  was  heing  fought  there,  hut  sometime  during 
the  afternoon  the  fog  lifted,  and  exposed  to  view 
the  grainiest  sight  of  a  lifetime.  On  the  front  of 
Lookout  Mountain,  intermediate  between  haseand 
summit,  there  is  a  wide  open  space,  cultivated  as 
a  farm,  in  vivid  contrast  with  the  natural  sur 
roundings  of  the  wildest  type.  The  farm  house, 
known  as  Craven's,  or  the  "  white  house,"  was  sit 
uated  upon  the  upper  margin  of  the  farm.  lie- 
low  the  house,  and  across  this  little  farm  we  eould 
plainly  see  the  contending  forces  engaged  in  deadly 
strife.  We  could  hear  them  cheer,  and  see  them 
charge  hack  and  forth  across  this  field.  How  our 
hearts  would  swell  and  leap  for  joy  when  we 
could  see  our  hoys  drive  the  enemy  from  his  works. 
Some  of  the  boys  hecame  so  excited  over  watch 
ing  them  that  whenever  they  could  recognize  a 
victory  on  the  part  of  our  hoys  they  would  take 
off  their  hats  and  wave  them,  and  cheer  at  the 
top  of  their  voice.  The  reader  no  douht  lias,  since 
the  close1  of  the  war,  witnessed  a  *lmnt  bottle,  and 
can  remember  how  he  himself  hecame  excited  as 
first  one  side  or  the  other  would  gain  an  apparent 
victory.  How  much  more,  and  stronger  are  the 
reasons  for  cheering  and  feeling  interested  for  your 
real  friends  when  you  see  them  engaged  in  deadly 
18 


274  IIISTOHY    OF    TIM-:    SIXTH     KIK.I.M    .\l 

combat  \vitli  an  enemy  whose  only  object  is  to  take 
their  life.  But  imagine  the  feeling  of  our  hoys 
when  they  finally  saw  our.  forces  gradually  gain 
one  line  after  another,  and  eventually  drive  the 
enemy  in  rapid  retreat  around  the  face  of  the 


I  did  not  stop  with  waving  my  hat,  hut  yelled 
and  dapped  my  hands,  jumped  up  and  down, 
laughed  and  cried  for  joy.  In  fact,  the  whole 
army  in  front  of  Chattanooga  was  simply  wild 
with  excitement,  and  if  at  this  moment  General 
Grant  had  said  the  word,  Missionary  Ridge  would 
have  been  taken  in  thirty  minutes'  time.  The  hoys 
were  restless  and  wild  with  excitement,  and  that 
eager  "to  go"  for  Missionary  Ridge  that  they 
could  hardly  contain  themselves.  All  they  wanted 
was  the  word  to  go!  uml  if  <-<tin(\  and  thcv  went. 
Yes,  and  they  went  to  stay.  After  the  word  to 
forward  was  given,  as  well  might  they  try  to  stop 
the  sweeping  avalanche,  which  carries  death  and 
destruction  before  it,  as  to  try  to  stop  the  Fourth 
Army  Corps  short  of  the  top  of  Missionary  Ridge. 
We  had  been  held  in  restraint  so  long,  and  had 
witnessed  the  gallant  work  of  Hooker's  men  with 
such  signal  victory  that  our  enthusiasm  knew  no 
bounds.  In  fact,  it  was  more  trouble  to  hold  the 
men  back  in  line  than  to  keep  them  up  even. 
Kvery  man  was  himself  a  host.  To  illustrate  this 
feeling  among  the  men  I  will  relate  a  circumstance. 
After  the  order  to  forward  was  given,  with  a  rush 
we  captured  the  line  of  rifle-pits  at  the  foot  of  the. 


WE    CAPTURE    MISSIONARY    RIDGE.  275 

hill.  It  only  took  a  moment  tor  every  man  to  see 
that  we  could  not  reman  there,  and  it  was  either 
to  go  for  the  top  of  the  hill  or  retreat,  and  this  no 
man  thought  of  doing',  so,  instinctively,  every  man 
fixed  his  eye  upon  the  top  of  the  ridge.  1  could 
almost  see  the  tire  flash  from  the  eyes  of  my  men. 
It  \vas  a  critical  moment.  Just  at  this  moment  I 
heard  some  one  yell  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  "for- 
tr-fU'd."  This  was  enough.  I  instantly  sprang  in 
front  of  my  company  and  repeated  the  order.  I 
then  turned,  and  with  a  hound  started  for  the 
top  of  the  ridge — determined  to  lead  the  company, 
determined  to  be  the  first  of  my  company  on  the 
rebel  works — but,  in  spite  of  my  good  running 
qualities,  some  of  the  boys  would  get  ahead  of  me; 
and  I  remember  very  well -of  catching  one  of  them, 
Thomas  W.  .Jackson,  by  the  coat  tail  and  holding 
on  until  I  got  ahead  of  him,  and  when  I  let  go  of 
him  he  ran  around  me,  and  was  the  only  man  that 
was  on  the  works  ahead  of  me,  and,  somehow,  I 
have  felt  a  little  envious  toward  7o///  ever  since. 
However,  he  was  only  one  jump  ahead  of  me,  and 
in  less  than  a  minute  every  member  of  the  com 
pany  was  on  the  works,  and  my  company  took 
sixteen  men  and  a  line  officer  prisoners  right  in 
their  mm  <lit<-li. 

The  officer,  a  rebel  captain,  made  no  attempt  at 
resistance,  hut  handed  me  his  sword  and  asked 
what  he  should  do.  I  placed  him  and  his  men  in 
charge  of  Sergeant  B.  M.  Robinson  and  a  small 


27fi  HISTORY    OK   THE    SIXTH    KKCIMRNT. 

guard,  and  sent  them  to  the  rear.  All  this  was 
tlio  work  of  a  moment,  and  our  company  (except 
Tom  Jackson)  was  still  standing  on  the  works 
yet,  when  the  last  of  the  sixteen  rebels  tiled  by  me 
to  the  rear.  I  made  a  spring,  clearing  the  ditch 
and  lighting  near  Jackson,  who  was  admiring  a 
large  brass  cannon,  whose  month  seemed  large 
enough  to  crawl  into,  and  whose  tube  still  smoked 
from  its  last  discharge.  F  stepped  up  to  lav  my 
hand  on  the1  barrel  of  the  cannon.  About  this 
time  Tom  yelled,  l"  Look  out  !  that  darned  thing 
is  hot,''  but  before  he  could  speak  the1  words,  my 
hand  was  high  in  the  air.  It  was  simply  hissing 
hot,  tor  it  had  not  been  three  minutes  since  its 
last  discharge. 

But  by  this  time  all  the  boys  were  over  the 
ditch,  with  not  a  rebel  to  be  seen  on  top  the  ridge. 
However,  just  at  this  instant  our  attention  was 
attracted  by  a  voice,  loud  and  excited,  giving  or 
ders  on  the  other  side  of  the  ridge,  about  one  hun 
dred  feet  from  us.  Kvery  eye  was  instantly  turned 
on  this  lone  specimen  of  a  forlorn  hope.  For  a 
moment  not  a  man  of  us  moved  or  said  a  word- 
while  lie  was  calling  at  the  top  of  his  voice  to  bis 
men  to  come  back,  saying  there  were  only  a  few 
of  the  Yankees,  and  ••  We  can  drive  them  back." 
While  he  was  thus  delivering  himself,  Tom,  whose 
eyes  were  riveted  on  the  speaker,  set  his  gun 
against  the  cannon,  unbuckled  his  cartridge  box, 
which  dropped  at  his  feet,  and  not  uttering  a  word. 


DEMORALIZED   BEDELS   RUNNfNG.  2<  i 

but  crouched  like1  a  eat,  started  on  a  quick  run  to 
ward  his  victim.  The  rest  of  us  took  in  the  sit 
uation  instantly,  and  hold  our  breaths  in  anticipa 
tion  of  the  result.  But  fortunately  for  either  Tom 
or  the  rehel  officer,  I  don't  know  which,  the  fellow 
looked  back  just  in  time  to  take  in  the  situation, 
and  when  Tom  was  within  ten  feet  of  him,  with 
one  desperate  hound  he  cleared  the  top  of  the 
ridge  and  disappeared  down  over  the  bluff.  Tom 
did  not  venture  any  further,  but  called  out :  "  My 
God!  come  and  see  them  run."  "We  all  broke  and 
ran  over  to  where  Tom  was,  and  such  a  si  if  lit  1 
never  expect  to  see  agaith 

The  western  side  of  the  ridge  where  we  came  up 
is  a  long,  gradual  slope,  while  the  eastern  side  is 
steep  and  rugged  and  covered  with  trees  and  large 
rocks,  and  it  was  down  over  these  rocks  the  rebels 
went,  every  fellow  for  himself.  We  saw  the  braves 
tumbling  over  each  other  in  a  most  reckless  man 
ner;  some  without? guns,  others  without  hats,  and 
all  one  conglomerated  mass  of  demoralized  men 
whose  sole  object  was  to  save  their  own  scalp,  and 
was  verifying  the  old  adage  that  "  he  that  fights 
and  runs  away  lives  to  light  another  day/' 

After  the  excitement  was  over,  I  asked  Tom 
what  ever  made  him  act  so  strangely  in  this  mat 
ter,  and  he  said  he  wanted  to  bring  the  fellow  in 
alive. 

While  we  were  watching  the  Hying  rebels  as 
they  swept  in  wild  confusion  across  the  valley  be 
yond  the  ridge,  our  division  commander,  General 


278  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    RECUMENT. 

Wood,  rode  up  in  our  midst  and  made1  us  a  speech. 
He  said  we  were  up  there  without  orders,  and  that 
lie  would  have  every  man  eonrt-martialed.  Be 
fore  lie  quit  talking,  however,  he  gave  us  to  un 
derstand  that  he  was  only  joking,  and  compli 
mented  the1  boys  in  the*  highest  terms  for  their 
bravery  and  the  great  victory  they  had  won,  and 
said  that  he  claimed  no  credit  tor  himself  in  the 
matter,  but  that  it  was  one  case,  at  least,  where 
the  men  had  fought  and  won  a  great  victory  with 
out  the  aid  of  commanding  officers. 

1  can  not  refrain  from  mentioning  some  things 
I  saw  as  we  went  up  Missionary  "Kidge.  When 
we  got  within  one  hundred  feet  of  the  rebel  rifle- 
pits  at  the  top  of  the  hill,  the  bullets  came  into 
our  faces  so  thick  and  fast,  that  it,  for  a  moment 
only,  created  a  waver  in  our  lines,  when  some  one 
gave  the  order  to  afix  bayonets,"  I  repeated  the 
order  and  sent  it  on  down  tlyi1  line.  For  a  mo 
ment,  the  noise  made  by  this  rattling  of  cold  steel, 
seemed  to  fairly  chill  my  blood.  But  instantly 
the  order  to  forward  came  down  the  line  like  a 
flash  of  lightning,  and  when  the  fresh  start 
was  made,  a  wild  yell  went  up  from  the  boys 
as  they  made  a  dash  for  the  rebel  works.  It  was 
simply  foolish  for  the  rebels  to  try  to  resist  this 
bayonet  charge.  It  was  simply  irresistible,  and 
meant,  victory  or  death  !  And  the  rebels  so  under 
stood  it,  and  did  not  stay  to  argue  the  quest  ion. 
•Some,  however,  did  not  give  up  without  a  strug 
gle.  Just  at  my  right,  Lieutenant  Andy  Conneu,  of 


ANDY    CONNKR    TN    A    TIGHT    PLACE.  29 

Company  D,  who  did  not  stop  when  we  hesitated 
long  enough  to  tix  bayonets,  but  pressed  on,  had 
reached  the  works  some  thirty  or  forty  feet  ahead 
of  his  company.  lie  had,  for  some  reason,  picked 
up  an  ax  on  his  way  up  the  hill.  I'just  happened 
to  look  in  that  direction  when  he  attempted  to 
mount  the  works,  when  a  rebel  made  a  thrust  at 
him  with  his  bayonet,  and  Andy,  to  save  himself, 
sprung  backward  for  six  or  eight  feet,  lighting  on 
his  feet  with  his  face  toward  his  enemy.  He 
squared  himself,  and,  gathering  the  ax  in  both 
hands,  sent  it  whiz/ing  at  the  fellow's  head.  The 
rebel  ducked  his  head  and  the  ax  went  on  over 
without  harm.  Andy  then  drew  his  sword  and 
made  another  rush  at  the  "Johnny,"  who  again 
came  at  Andy  with  his  bayonet,  and  again  Andy 
saved  himself  by  springing  back  down  the  hill. 
By  this  time  Andy's  company  was  up  to  his  back, 
and  once  more  the  brave  Lieutenant,  with  drawn 
sword,  sprung  on  the  works,  while  his  enemy 
dropped  his  gun,  settled  back  in  the  ditch  and 
threw  up  botlrhands.  This  was  enough,  he  was 
not  harmed. 

"From  General  Bragg \s  declarations  that  his 
line  was  first  pierced  on  his  right — that  is,  to  the 
north  of  the  house  which  he  occupied  as  his  head 
quarters — and  from  the  observation  of  those  occu 
pying  elevated  positions,  there  is  no  room  to  doubt 
that  General  Wood's  division  first  reached  the 
summit.  General  Wood's  troops  enfiladed  the 
enemy's  lines  to  the  right,  and  to  the  left  as  soon 


280  HISTORY    OF   THE   SIXTH    REGLMKNT. 

as  they  broke  through  it."  And  now  may  we  not 
Hatter  ourselves,  that  as  General  Wood  rode  into 
our  regiment  and  spoke  to  us  the  way  lie  did.  that 
the  old  Sixth  was  among  the  first,  it  not  the  very 
first  regiment,- to  roach  the  summit  in  this  gallant 
charge.  Again,  it  is  a  fact  that  no  memher  of  our 
hrave  old  regiment  had  any  reason  to  accuse  any 
of  his  comrades  of  showing  a  lack  of  staying 
Dualities.  Our  hoys  were  so  well  drilled,  and  had 
heen  in  so  many  battles,  that  they  knew  just  what 
to  do  and  just  how  to  do  it. 

The  record  does  not  show  any  officers  killed  or 
wounded  in  this  engagement,  hut  it  is  a  fact,  all 
the  same,  that  Captain  Frank  I*.  Strader,  of  Com 
pany  II,  was  wounded,  and  died  from  the  effect  of 
this  same  wound  December  10,  18<>3. 

Tin-  different  companies  lost  as  follows: 
Co.  A.     James  T.  Barber,  wounded;  died  Decem 
ber  25,  18(53. 

Elijah  Hankans,  killed  November  25, 1863. 
Lamhcrt  Schill,  killed  November  25,  f  863. 
Kdward  M.  Sheppard,  killed  November 

25,  18<i3. 

Co.   1).     James  1.  Seats, killed  November  25, 1863. 
William  15.  Walker,  killed  November  25, 

1  Xi>3. 
Samuel    If.    Tull,   died    January    3,    18(>4; 

wounds  receive<  1  Xovemher  25,  f  S(>:>. 
Michael    McUinty,   killed    Xovemher   25, 

1863. 
Co.    C.     Theodore  Ward,  killed  November  25,1863. 


THE  RESULTS  OF  THE  BATTLE.  281 

Co.   D.     John    L.  Devon,  wounded  at  Missionary 
Ridge. 

Charles  Dunahew,  wounded  at  Missionary 

Ridge. 

Co.   K.      Benton  McCafterty,  wounded  at  Mission 
ary  Ridge. 
John  A/bell,  died  November  26;   wound* 

received  at  Missionary  Ridge. 
Josiah  Farley,  killed  November  25,  1863. 
Napoleon    Hebird,    killed    November   25, 

1863, 

Thomas  Taylor,  killed  Xovember  25,  186:). 
Joseph  D.  Teverbaugh,died  Xovember  29  ; 

wounds  received  Xovember  25,  1868. 
George   M.    Wheeler,   died  Dec-ember  16. 

186-) ;   wounds  received   November   25. 

1863. 
Co.  F.     Mitchell     B.    Cook,    died    Xovember  26: 

wounds  received  Xovember  25,  1868. 
Lewis  II.  Hardenbrook,  killed  Missionary 

Ridge,  Xovember  25, 186:5. 
John     U.     Townsend,    killed    Missionary 

Ridge,  Xovember  25,  1863. 
Co.  G.     Banner  Davis,  wounded  Missionary  Ridge, 

Xovember  25,  1863. 
John   M.  Hook,  wounded   and   died  same 

day.    Missionary   Ridge,  Xovember  25, 

1863. 
Christopher  O'Xeal,  wounded  Missionary 

Ridge,  Xovember  25,  1863. 


282  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

Co.  G.      Nathaniel    Owens,    wounded    Missionary 

Ridge,  November  2r>,  1863. 
John      Yickery,      wounded      Missionary 

Ridge,    November  25,   1863. 
Co.  II.     John     \V.     Davis,    wounded     Missionary 

Ridge,   November   2."),  1803. 
William     1*.    Eads,    wounded    Missionary 

Ridge,  November  25,  1863. 
Co.     I.      None  reported  in  the  Record. 
Co.  I\.     John  \V.  Blankenshij),  wounded  Mission 
ary  Ridge,  Xo  vein  her  25,  1863. 
Thomas   W.  Jackson,  wounded   Mission 
ary  Ridge,  November  25.  1863. 
Here  we  have  a  loss  to  the  regiment  in  this  en 
gagement   of  one  officer  and   thirty   enlisted  men. 
The    total    loss    to    the    I'liion    Army    was 

killed 757 

The    total    loss    to    the    I'nion     Army    was 

wounded 4,529 

The  total  loss  to  the  Tnion  Army  was  miss- 
in  ii-  ..  330 


Total   loss   5,616 

The  total  loss  Confederate  Army,  killed 361 

The  total  loss  Confederate  Army,  wounded.  2,1  si 

The  total  loss  Confederate  Arm}',  missing...  6,142 


Total   loss 8,<5X4 

1  can  not  refrain  from  giving  the  comments  of 
General  Henry  M.  Cist  in  his  history  of  the  Army 
of  tin*  Cumberland,  in  regard  to  Grant's  idea  of 


COMMENTS    ON    THK    HATTLK.  283 

our  army  when   lie  came  to  Chattanooga  and  took 
command.     He  says : 

uln  the  general  engagement  Grant's  plan  of 
battle  bad  been  for  Sherman  with  five  divisions 
to  make  the  main  attack,  sweep  everything  before 
him  down  the  ridge,  and  when  he  had  the  rebels  in 
full  retreat,  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  was 
then  to  aid  in  the  pursuit,  after  patiently  wait 
ing  until  the  fighting  was  over.  Hooker,  under 
Grant's  original  plan,  was  to  simply  hold  Lookout 
Valley  secure;  and  when  the  enemy  was  driven  by 
Sherman,  he  too  was  to  join  in  the  pursuit.  All 
the  fighting  of  the  battle  was  to  be  done  by  Sher 
man,  and  all  the  glory  thereof  was  to  be  his.  In 
Sherman's  Memoirs,  we  are  favored  with  Grant's 
views  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  when 
Sherman  tirst  reported  in  person  to  Grant,  at 
Chattanooga,  to  learn  of  bis  plan  and  the  part  he, 
Sherman,  was  to  take.  Sherman  says  that  Grant 
told  him,  that  the  men  of  Thomas'  Army  bad  been 
so  demoralized  by  the  battle  of  Clnckama^£ga;> 
that  be  feared  they  could  not  be  got  out  of  'weir 
trenches  to  assume  the  offensive,  and  that  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  bad  so  long  been  in  the 
trenches,  that  he  wanted  my  troops  to  hurry  up  to 
take  the  offensive  /?/'^,  after  which  he  had  no' 
doubt  the  Cumberland  Army  would  fight  well.  •>. 
So,  under  Grant's  plan,  the  Army  of  the  Cumber 
land  was  to  stand  by  and  be  taught  a  grand  object 
lesson  bow  to  fight,  as  given  by  Sherman.  Dur 
ing  the  course  of  the  engagement  the  plan  was 


I'M  HISTORY    OF   THE   SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

modified  twice,  t  nder  the  original  plan  Sherman 
was  to  make.1  a  demonstration  up  Lookout  Valley, 
in  the  expectation  that  Bragg  would  strengthen 
his  left  at  the  expense  of  his  right,  thereby  mak 
ing  Sherman "s  part  of  the  plan  so  much  the  lighter 
as  the  line  on  his  battle-front  was  weakened. 

To  carry  this  out  Hugh  Ewing's  division  was 
sent  to  Trenton,  hut  this  accomplished  nothing. 
Grant,  fearing  that  Bragg  s  right  might  he  too 
strong  for  Sherman  to  give  his  lesson  to  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland  properly,  finding  Osterhaus' 
division  cut  oft  from  Sherman,  ordered  it  to  report 
to  Hooker  who  was  directed  to  take  it  and  <  Jeary's 
division,  with  Cruft's  division  of  the  Fourth  Corps, 
and  make  a  demonstration  on  the  rebel  loft  at 
Lookout  Mountain,  to  attract  the  attention  of 
Braii'g,  while  Sherman  was  getting  into  position  to 
take  the  end  of  Missionary  Ridge  as  far  as  the 
tunnel.  Hooker,  on  the  day  previous,  learning 
that  Howard's  Corps  was  going  into  Chattanooga, 
and  probably  into  the  fight,  asked  to  be  allowed 
his  riii'ht  to  be  with  his  troops  under  lire,  I  nder 
his  original  order  he  was  simply  to  hold  Lookout 
Valley,  which  he  did  not  relish  if  part  of  his  com 
mand  should  engage'  the  enemy.  When  his  orders 
came  to  make  a  demonstration,  he  determined  he 
would  take  Lookout  Mountain  and  drive  Bragg's 
left  out  of  his  works.  \Vith  less  than  ten  thousand 
troops,  over  two-thirds  of  whom  were  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland,  Hooker  fought  his  kk  battle  above 


COMMENTS    ON    THE    BATTLE.  285 

the  clouds"  that  \vill  last  in  history  forever,  and 
grow  in  fancy  and  song1  as  the  years  roll  on. 

Hooker  took  Lookout  Mountain,  and  down  the 
rebel  left  to  Rossville,  over  five  miles,  before  Slier 
man  reached  the  tunnel.  lie  made  Sherman's  task 
none  the  easier,  however,  beeanse  Bragg  then 
threw  the  two  divisions  Hooker  had  whipped  upon 
Sherman's  front.  Then,  when  Sherman  had  been 
fighting  for  nearly  two  days,  and  had  failed  to 
make  the  headway  Grant's  plan  contemplated,  the' 
plan  underwent  another  modification.  On  the  25th 
( J  rant  ordered  Thomas  to  move  out  his  troops 
from  the  center  to  make  another  "demonstration  " 
in  Sherman's  behalf,  so  he  could  take  the  tunnel 
in  accordance  with  the  original  plan.  Thomas 
was  ordered  to  take  the  first  line  of  rifle-pits  and 
hold  his  command  there,  while1  Bragg  was  expected 
to  draw  off  part  of  his  troops  from  Sherman's 
front  and  strengthen  his  line  in  front  of  the  "  dem 
onstration/" 

Thomas'  orders  to  his  corps  and  division  Gen 
erals  were  given  in  accordance  with  Grant's  in 
structions,  and  as  the  orders  reached  the  brigade 
and  regimental  commanders,  as  far  as  the  officers 
were  concerned,  the  movement  was  only  to  be  a 
*•  demonstration." 

When  the  troops  reached  the  rebel  line,  captured 
it,  and  then  found  themselves  under  the  heavy 
fire  from  the  enemy's  lines  on  the  heights  above, 
without  orders,  and  even  against  orders,  the  sol 
diers  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  who  were 
"so  demoralized  that  thev  would  not  tight," 


28(i  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH     KUilMKNT. 

pressed  up  tin-  face  of  tl»c  ridge  under  tin-  deadly 
musketry  tire-  that  greeted  them,  with  camion  in 
front,  to  the  right  and  the  left,  raking  with  con 
verging  tire,  and  won  for  General  Grant  the  battle 
of  Missionary  Ridge,  driving  Bragg  away  from 
Sherman's  front,  and  thus  enabling  him  to  take 
the  tunnel  as  ordered. 

Whenever  the  victory  of  Missionary  Ridge  shall 
be  narrated  on  history's  page,  this  gallant  charge 
of  the  brave  men  of  Woods'  and  Sherman's  di 
visions,  with  those  of  Baird  and  Johnson  on  their 
left  and  right,  will  always  be  the  prominent  fea 
ture  of  the  engagement  as  told  in  the  coming 
vears,  and  will  be  the  last  to  lose  its  glory  and  re 
nown.  Xo  wonder  that  General  Grant  failed  to 
appreciate  this  movement  at  the  time,  not  under 
standing  the  troops  who  had  it  in  charge.  When 
lie  found  these  commands  ascending  the  ridge  to 
capture  it.  when  he  ordered  a  "•  demonstration  ''  to 
be  made  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  and  there  to  wait, 
lie  turned  sharplv  to  General  Thomas  and  asked: 
"  By  whose  orders  are  these  troops  going  up  the 
hill?"  General  Thomas,  taking  in  tlnx  situation 
at  once,  suggested  that  it  was  probably  by  their 
own.  General  Grant  remarked  that  it  was  all  right 
if  it  turned  out  all  right,  and  added  :  kk  If  not  some 
one  would  suiter."  But  it  turned  out  all  right, 
and  Grant,  in  his  official  report,  complimented  the 
troops  for  following  closely  the  retreating  enemy 
without  further  orders. 

From  the  above  it  would  seem  that  no  man  ever 
ii'ets  too  old  or  too  wise  to  learn. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

WE  MARCH  TO  THE  RELIEF  OF  BURNSIDE. 

Description  of  our  route  to  Knoxville — The  staple  product,  ugly 
women  and  dogs — Longstreet  breaks  his  neck  against  Fort 
Saunders — He  lets  upon  the  siege  of  Knoxville — We  go  up  to 
Strawberry  Plains — The  cold  New  Year's  at  Clinch  Mountain  — 
Frequent  raids  after  Longstreet — We  travel  about  400  miles — 
Orders  to  veteranize — We  return  to  Chattanooga — Strength  of 
the  army — Accounting  for  our  lost — Interesting  statements — 
Preparing  for  the  Atlanta  campaign. 

It  seems  that  General  Grant  was  very  anxious 
about  the  critical  condition  of  General  Burnside, 
who  was  stationed  at  Knoxville.  His  force  was 
only  about  strong  enough  to  hold  out  against  the 
enemy  before  Bragg  detached  Longstreet's  corps 
from  his  own  army  and  sent  to  Knoxville,  and 
now  after  the  addition  of  another  corps  to  the  rebel 
forces  in  the  vie-in ity  of  Knoxville,  and  the  short 
supply  of  rations,  Burnside  was  certainly  in  a  very 
critical  condition.  But  now  that  General  Bragg 
had  been  defeated,  General  Grant  gave  attention 
equally  to  the  pursuit  of  the  routed  enemy  and  the 
relief  of  his  lieutenant  at  Knoxville,  and  during 
the  evening  of  the  25th  gave  orders  looking  to  the 
accomplishment  of  both  objects.  He  directed  Gen 
eral  Thomas  to  recall  the  Fourth  Corps  to  prepare 
for  forced  marches  to  Knoxville.  Accordingly 


HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    RKGIMKNT. 

Tlioiuas  ordered  Woods'  and  Sheridan's  divisions 

to  return  to  Chattanooga.  We  lie  in  Chattanooga 
until  the  :>0th  of  November,  when  we  pulled  out 
for  Knoxville.  General  Howard  inarched  from 
Parker's  Gap  to  Cleveland  on  the  ^!>tli,  taking  tin- 
lead  in  tlu-  movement  upon  Knoxville.  The  enemy 
did  not  appeal1  in  liis  front  in  sufficient  force  to 
retard  his  rapid  movement,  ami  lie  readied  and 
crossed  the  Little  Tennessee  River  on  December  •">. 
Here  information  was  received  that  Longstreet  had 
raised  the  sie»v  of  Knoxville  and  retreated  east 
ward.  The  distance  from  Chattanooga  to  Knox 
ville  is  eighty- four  miles,  and  on  the  <>th  there  was 
a  concentration  of  all  the  Union  forces  at  Marvs- 
ville,  a  small  town  ahont  ten  miles  south  of  Knox 
ville,  so  it  will  he  seen  that  our  division  only 
marched  ahout  seventy-five  miles  in  five  days,  or 
fifteen  miles  a  day,  which  is"  not  so  hadly  forced 
after  all.  Here  at  Marysville  the  whole  army  was 
ordered  to  halt,  while  Sherman,  who  had  command 
of  the  u  East  Tennessee  Expedition,"  went  on  to 
Knoxville  and  held  a  u  pow-wow"  with  General 
Burnside.  It  was  agreed  that  the  Fourth  Corps 
should  remain,  while  the  balance  of  the  army 
should  return  to  Chattanooga.  To  give  the  num- 
hcr  of  miles  our  regiment  marched  each  day  while 
on  this  expedition,  and  the  hour  we  broke  camp 
in  the  morning  or  halted  for  the  niii'ht,  is  neither 
practical  or  of  any  interest  to  the  old  comrades  or 
the  general  reader,  yet  there  was  much  of  interest 
that  transpired  alon«r  the  route.  We  had  put  forth 


UGLY    WOMEN    AND    DOGS.  289 

no  extra  exertions  in  the  battle  at  Chattanooga. 
The  most  our  regiment  did  was  in  the  storming  of 
Missionary  Ridge,  and  this  only  lasted  about  an 
hour,  and  being  allowed  to  rest  a  few  days  at  Chat 
tanooga  before  we  started,  fitted  us  pretty  well  for 
the  march,  and  we  had  ample  time  and  opportu 
nity  to  enjoy  the  beautiful  scenery  along  up  this 
tine,  rich  valley.  There  are  several  very  nice  and 
thrifty  towns  situated  in  the  valley  of  the  Tennes 
see.  First  is  Cleveland,  some  eighteen  miles  from 
Chattanooga,  a  line  town  on  the  railroad.  Xext  is 
Charleston,  some  eight  miles  on,  situated  also  on 
the  railroad,  and  also  on  the  beautiful  little  river, 
the  Iliawassee.  About  twenty  miles  still  further 
on  we  come  to  Athens,  on  the  railroad.  This  is  a 
good  business  town  of  some  note.  Twelve  miles  on 
we  come  to  Martinsville,  situated  some  four  miles 
east  of  the  railroad.  This  is  a  little  old  town  of 
not  much  importance  and  no  enterprise,  and  noted 
only  for  dogs,  ugly  women  and  white-headed  chil 
dren.  The  next  town  we  struck  was  Marysville, 
about  fourteen  miles  further  on,  quite  a  nice  place, 
and  showing  considerable  signs  of  thrift  and  enter 
prise.  Marysville  is  situated  about  ten  miles  east 
of  the  Tennessee  River,  in  a  beautiful  valley  which 
lies  between  the  mountains  on  the  east  and  high, 
rolling  land  on  the  west,  between  the  town  and  the 
river.  It  was  here  the  army  concentrated  when 
nearing  Knoxville,  some  fourteen  miles  on.  The 
Tennessee  Valley, between  Chattanooga  and  Knox 
ville,  is  not  only  very  rich,  but  very  healthy,  and 

19 


2!H)  HISTORY    OF   THE    SIXTH    KEUIMKNT. 


abounds  with  thrifty  fanners  who  are  prosperous 
ami  happy.  The  population  are  of  the  better  class 
and  comparatively  clear  of  the  negroes,  as  slavery 
did  not  thrive  well  so  far  from  the  cotton  field. 

The  mountain  on  either  side  of  the  valley  fur 
nished  an  abundance  of  pure,  clear  spring1  water 
to  supply  the  numerous  tributaries  of  the  beauti 
ful  Tennessee,  which  wound  its  serpentine  course 
down  toward  the  Father  of  Waters.  The  climate 
is  simply  delightful,  while  the  seasons  are  perfect, 
rendering  it  one  of  the  finest  fruit-growing  regions 
in  the  State.  Many  a  member  of  the  Sixth  In 
diana  promised  himself  that  if  he  was  spared 
through  the  war  with  life  and  health,  that  he 
would  return  to  this  beautiful  valley  and  take  up 
his  abode  for  life,  and  to-day,  a  quarter  of  a  cen 
tury  after  the  close  of  the  war,  the  valley  of  the 
East  Tennessee  numbers  among  her  citi/ens  many 
an  old  comrade. 

(Jeneral  <i  ranger's  corps  moved  up  from  Marys- 
ville  to  Knoxville  on  the  8th  and  Oth  of  I  >ecem- 
ber.  Our  division  went  ovwr  on  the  8th,  in  the 
afternoon,  ancfofi  the  morning  of  the  9th  the  boys 
of  our  regiment  were  allowed  to  go  at  will  and 
examine  Fort  Sanders,  which  proved  to  be  the 
post  against  which  four  thousand  picked  men 
from  Longstreet's  corps  succeeded  in  butting  their 
brains  out.  On  the  29th  of  Xovember  Longstreet 
made  the  assault  on  Fort  Sanders,  the  key  to  the 
position,  and  was  repulsed  with  heavy  loss.  This 
fort  was  built  of  the  dirt  dug  from  making  a  dee}), 


LONGSTREKT    ASSAULTS    FORT    SANDERS.  291 

wide  ditch  on  three  sides  of  it.  From  the  top  ot 
the  fort  to  the  bottom  of  the  ditch  was  about 
twenty  feet,  but  the  ditch  was  ten  feet  deep  and 
twelve  feet  wide.  All  around  the  fort,  except  the 
opening  left  for  going  in  and  out,  was  descending, 
and  had  been  covered  with  small  timber  and 
bushes.  These  bushes  had  been  cut  off,  leaving  a 
stump,  say  about  fifteen  or  eighteen  inches  high. 
To  these  stumps  wire  had  been  fastened,  running 
from  one  to  the  other,  all  over  a  large  tract  of 
land.  Wires  were  also  stretched  so  as  to  trip  and 
throw  a  person  into  the  ditch  surrounding  the 
fort.  This  tort  was  tilled  with  sharp-shooters, 
provided  with  plenty  of  ammunition,  and  also 
with  hand  grenades.  These  are  large  balls  filled 
with  slugs  of  iron  and  powder,  and  provided  with 
a  fuse,  which  can  be  arranged  by  the  operator  to 
explode  in  one  second  or  longer,  as  desired. 

About  4  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  29th  of 
December  four  thousand  of  Longstreet's  selected 
men  made  the  assault  on  this  fort,  The  result  was 
terrible.  The  charge  on  the  fort  was  made  at  4 
•o'clock  in  the  morning,  as  stated  above,  and  before 
it  was  light  enough  to  see  the  wires  or  other  dan 
gers,  the  foremost  men  tripped  over  the  wires  and 
fell,  others  came  rushing  up,  and  in  the  darkness 
stumbled  over  those  already  down,  and  in  this  way 
on  they  came,  tripping  and  falling  over  each  other 
until  they  s^ot.  to  the  ditch  surrounding  the  fort, 
and  into  this  they  began  to  tumble.  /Once  in  this 
ditch  was  like  being  in  prison  with  the  door  locked. 


292  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    RKG1MKNT. 

But  on  came  the  yelling  victims,  still  tumbling  into 
the  ditch  until  it  got  so  full  that  they  stood  up  on 
each  other  so  that  the  top  ones  were  enabled  to 
get  out  again.  But  about  this  time  our  boys,  who 
had  been  slaughtering  them  by  the  hundreds  by 
shooting  them,  began  to  throw  over  into  the  ditch 
the  exploding  missils.  The  scene  was  terrible 
and  most  horrible  to  contemplate;  the  work  was 
short  but  it  was  complete.  The  enemy  lost  in  this 
charge  1,000,  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners,  while 
our  loss  was  four  killed  and  seven  wounded.  But 
this  disastrous  charge  broke  Longstreet's  '"grip,"' 
and  made  him  let  up  the  siege.  And,  although  it 
had  been  ten  da.ys  since  the  slaughter  occurred,  wo 
could  see  tufts  of  human  hair  and  spots  of  hlood 
all  over  the  ground  in  front  of  the  fort. 

Longstreet  detached  several  small  raiding  par 
ties  to  pillage  the  country  around  Knoxville,  and 
tlie  whole  winter  through  they  carried  on  a  kind 
of  an  Indian  warfare,  doing  considerable  damage. 

About  the  12th  of  December  we  left  Knoxville 
for  the  vicinity  of  Strawberry  Plains,  a  station  on 
the  railroad,  ami  where  the  railroad  crossed  the 
river,  and  about  fifteen  miles  distant  from  Knox 
ville.  General  Shacjdeford  followed  Longstreet's 
retreating  army  as  far  as  Bean  Station.  The 
enemy  turned  on  him  and  severe  fighting  took 
place.  Our  forces  fell  back  as  far  as  Taxewell. 
The  Union  loss  was  reported  at  TOO,  killed,  wounded 
and  prisoners;  the  rebel  loss  was  !M)0.  This  took 
place  on  the  14th,  and  our  brigade  was  ordered  up 


COLD    NEW    YEARS    AT    CLINCH    MOUNTAIN.  29-') 

as  support  for  Bhackleford,  and  got  as  far  as 
Clinch  Mountain,  where  we  learned  the  fighting 
was  over, and  were  halted  and  went  into  camp.  We 
occupied  this  camp  about  a  month,  and  was  in  this 
camp  during  the  cold  Nt'ir  JVrt /•'.<?  (the  1st  day  of 
January,  18<>4),  which  all  the  hoys  remember  so 
well.  Some  of  the  boys  of  the  regiment  went  on 
picket  duty  the  night  before,  and  when  they  came 
in  the  next  morning  their  clothes  were  frozen  like 
sheets  of  ice  on  their  persons.  The  storm  started 
with  a  cold  rain,  then  turned  to  sleet.  We  built  a 
iire:  while  some  of  the  boys  would  cut  and  others 
carry  large  logs  and  pile  on  this  fire  until  we  had 
a  log-heap  as  high  as  one's  head,  and  around  this 
we  would  roast  our  shins,  and  while  one  side  would 
scorch  the  other  would  freeze.  But  we  got  on 
pretty  well  until  night  came.  Our  tents,  of  course, 
had  been  left  behind,  and  now,  that  the  ground 
was  covered  with  snow  and  sleet,  and  so  cold  that 
blood  would  almost  freeze  in  the  veins,  how  would 
we  manage  to  sleep  this  night  away,  in  the  woods 
with  only  the  trees  for  shelter?  Well,  I  will  not 
pretend  to  relate  our  experience  that  night,  but 
will  only  say  that  I  hope  the  reader  will  never  be 
caught  in  like  condition. 

We  broke  cam})  about  the  14th  of  January,  and 
started  for  Dandridge,  but  before  this  we  had  made 
various  trips  out  from  Strawberry  Plains,  either  as 
a  scare,  or  for  the  purpose  of  surprising  some  for 
aging  parties  that  were  constantly  threatening 
Knoxville.  We  had  been  up  to  New  Market  once, 


294  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

and  then  again  up  to  Morristown,  but  had  never 
been  in  a  tight  until  we  went  to  Dandridge,  and 
while  the  regiment  did  not  get  into  a  tight  here, 
some  of  the  companies  were  thrown  out  on  the 
skirmish  line  when  we  started  retreat.  On  the  15th 
our  division  took  the  lead  and  advanced  against 
Longstreet's  Cavalry,  then  stationed  at  Dandridge. 
We  drove  them  from  the  town,  and  supposed  thev 
had  gone  o1i'.  and  we  went  into  ramp,  but  only  to 
stay  over  night  instead  of  the  balance  of  the  win 
ter,  as  the  boys  supposed,  for  the  next  morning 
Longstreet's  whole  army  was  in  our  front,  and  al 
though  our  division  was  joined  by  Sheridan's  Di 
vision  and  McCook's  Cavalry,  it  was  not  deemed 
safe  to  hazard  a  general  ijngagement,  but  for  two 
days  there  was  brisk  skirmishing,  and  late  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  18th  there  was  a  brisk  conflict, 
mainly  between  McCook's  Cavalry  and  Long- 
street's  advance.  Our  own  regiment  was  not  en 
gaged,  but  were  badly  scared,  and  kept  up  in  ranks 
nicely  on  the  retreat  to  the  rear,  and,  for  once,  I 
think  I  can  safely  say  that  not  a  single  man  left 
the.  regiment  to  forage  while  on  the  inarch.  Our 
whole  army  fell  back  to  Strawberry  Plains,  crossed 
the  river,  and  went  into  camp. 

From  here  we  struck  back  toward  Knoxville, 
and  on  to  Marysville,  where  we  again  went  into 
camp.  It  was  now  about  the  last  of  January,  and 
we  lay  in  camp  here  until  about  the  middle  of 
February,  when  we  again  broke  camp  and  started 
after  Longstreet,  who  was  near  Strawberry  Plains. 


ORDERS   TO    VETERANIZE.  295 

The  Sixth  boys  did  not  very  nuu*li  like  this  retro 
grade  movement,  but  Grant  had  ordered  Thomas 
to  send  to  General  Foster,  who  had  been  placed 
in  command  of  our  department,  sufficient  forces 
to  drive  Longstreet  out  of  East  Tennessee,  and 
our  likes  and  dislikes  did  not  change  the  thing  a 
bit.  When  they  said  "  Go/'  we  went. 

But,  fortunately  for  us,  the  movement  against 
Longstreet  was  abandoned  before  an  engagement, 
and  again  we  turned  our  faces  southward  and  ar 
rived  at  London  about  the  18th  day  of  April. 

But  I  should  have  said  that  when  we  started 
after  Longstreet  he  retreated  from  Strawberry 
Plains  to  Bull's  Gap,  destroying  bridges  and  his 
camp  equipage.  We  went  as  far  as  Bean  Station, 
some  forty  miles  from  Strawberry  Plains,  then 
back  to  the  Plains,  and  then  another  trip  above 
Morristown  and  back  to  the  Plains,  and  then  on 
to  London,  where  we  went  into  camp  for  a  little 
rest.  This  last  trip  terminated  our  wanderings  up 
in  East  Tennessee,  and  in  all  we  traveled  about 
400  miles  during  the  winter.  The  general  health 
of  the  regiment  was  good  all  winter,  and  at  this 
late  day  I  can  think  of  no  s-erious  mishap  that  de 
serves  the  reader's  attention. 

The  general  order  to  veteranize  the  soldiers 
whose  time  was  about  to  expire  created  some  little 
excitement  in  our  regiment;  quite  a  number  re- 
enlisted  and  some  even  started  for  home  and  got 
as  far  as  London,  and  were  recalled  to  take  part 
in  the  last  expedition  up  above  Knoxville  after 


HISTORY    OF   THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

Longwtreet,  but  they  had  thoroughly  cooled  oft' 
before  they  could  get  away  again,  and  simply  re 
fused  to  go.  Consequently  the  Sixth  Indiana  did 
not  veteranize.  Wood's  and  Sheridan's  divisions 
remained  near  London  until  the  <>th  of  April, 
when  we  broke  eamp  and  started,  as  we  thought, 
for  Chattanooga,  but  were  halted  at  Cleveland, 
and  airain  went  into  eamp.  The  reason  of  this 
was  that  Longstreet  had  not  yet  left  East  Ten 
nessee,  and  we  were  simply  waiting  to  see  what 
he  did,  and  then,  I  suppose,  be  governed  accord 
ingly.  We  remained  here  at  Cleveland  until  about 
some  time  in  the  last  week  of  April,  when  we 
again  broke  camp  and  jstruck  out  for  Ringgold, 
where  we  arrived  the  4th  of  May. 

Soon  after  his  assignment  to  the  command  of 
the  military  division,  General  Sherman  went  to 
Chattanooga  to  confer  with  General  Thomas.  The 
union  of  the  armies  of  the  Cumberland,  Tennessee 
and  Ohio,  in  a  campaign  from  Chattanooga  as  a 
base,  having  been  determined  upon,  preparations 
of  the  grandest  dimensions  possible  were  at  once 
inaugurated  with  vigor.  During  the  month  of 
April  again,  as  before  the  battle  in  November, 
Chattanaoga  was  the  scene  of  the  greatest  ac 
tivity.  Troops  were  constantly  coming  up  from 
the  rear  and  moving  to  the  front.  The  <inarter- 
master  and  Commissary  Departments  were  pressed 
to  extreme  exertion  building  steamboats,  erecting 
and  tilling  vast  store-houses,  bringing  forward  ar- 
tillerv  and  cavalry  horses,  and  cattle,  while  the 


STRENGTH    OF    THE    ARMY.  297 

railway  was  almost  constantly  trembling  under 
tlu'  long  trains  heavily  loaded  with  supplies  and 
munitions. 

On  the  loth  of  April  our  corps  commander, 
General  Gordon  Granger,  was  relieved,  and  Gen 
eral  Howard  placed  in  command. 

On  the  1st  of  May  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
was  well  in  hand,  awaiting  orders  to  advance.  The 
army  for  the  field  comprised  54,568  infantry,  3,238 
cavalry,  and  2,377  artillery,  with  130  guns,  making 
a  total  of  60,773  effective  men. 

In  order  to  properly  locate  our  regiment,  I  will 
say  that  we  are  still  of  the  Fourth  Corps,  com 
manded  by  General  Howard  ;  Third  Division,  com 
manded  by  General  T.  J.  Wood,  and  Second  Bri 
gade,  commanded  by  General  Ha/en.  Our  brigade 
consisted  of  the  Sixth  Indiana,  First  Ohio,  Sixth 
Ohio,  Forty-first  Ohio,  Ninety-third  Ohio,  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  Ohio,  Fifth  Kentucky, 
Sixth  Kentucky,  and  Twenty-third  Kentucky. 

The  reader  will  please  not  get  the  idea  that 
the  figures  given  above  constitutes  the  entire 
forces  which  were  to  move  against  the  rebel  army 
in  and  about  Dalton,  or  in  our  immediate  front. 
This  60,773  is  only  the  strength  of  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland,  under  Thomas.  To  this  must  be 
added  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  24,465  strong, 
under  McPherson;  also,  the  army  of  the  Ohio, 
13,541  strong,  under  Schofield,  making  a  total  of 
98,779  effective  men;  and  to  the  130  pieces  of  ar 
tillery  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  we  have  96 


HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

guns  with  MePherson,  and  28  with  Schofield,  mak 
ing  a  total  of  254  guns. 

With  this  grand  army  all  ready  to  move  for 
ward,  the  5th  of  May  was  fixed  as  the  day  for  our 
great  chieftain,  General  Sherman,  to  give  the  order 
to  u  Fowaril*  march."  The  order  was  given,  and 
again  the  old  Sixth  Indiana  broke  camp  and  started 
on  the  "Georgia  campaign." 

Our  grand  old  regiment  had  seen  so  much  hard 
service  and  for  so  long  a  time  in  the  field  that  she 
was  only  a  remnant  of  her  former  self.  Our  first 
Colonel,  T.  T.  Critteuden,  had  been  promoted  to  a 
Brigadier-General  early  in  1862.  P.  P.  Baldwin, 
who  had  been  promoted* to  till  the  place,  was  killed 
at  Chickamauga.  Ilagerman  Trip}),  who  was  then 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  assumed  command  of  the  reg 
iment,  but  on  the  very  next  day  after  Baldwin  was 
killed,  Tripp  was  so  severely  wounded  that  he  was 
sent  to  the  rear  and  his  services  were  lost  to  the 
regiment  and  his  country  as  well.  Our  first  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel,  Hiram  Prather,  resigned  and  left 
us  May  19, 1862.  Major  Augustus  H.  Abbett,  who 
was  our  first  Major,  had  resigned  away  back,  June 
17,  1862.  John  Karnshaw,  our  first  Adjutant,  and 
who  was  afterward  promoted  to  Captain,  Com 
pany  II,  was  further  promoted  to  be  Assistant 
Adjutant-General.  Our  next  Adjutant,  David  II. 
Richardson,  had  been  dishonorably  discharged. 
Our  first  Quartermaster,  Win.  E.  McCleland,  had 
resigned  and  left  us.  Our  first  chaplain,  Kexin  M. 
Barnes,  resigned  April  23,  1862.  Daniel  C.  Darr, 


ACCOUNTING    FOR    OUR    LOST.  2991 

commissioned  in  his  place,  also  resigned  November 
2,  1862.  Our  grand  old  doctor,  Charles  Schussler, 
who  was  our  surgeon,  had  been  promoted  to  Brig 
ade  Surgeon.  The  first  Assistant  Surgeon  of  our 
regiment  was  Nathan  B.  Sparks,  who  resigned 
December  17,  1861.  The  next  Assistant  Surgeon 
was  Samuel  II.  Charlton,  who  resigned  March  16, 
1862.  The  next  was  Myron  H.  Harding.  He, 
however,  declined  to  serve,  and  was  never  mus 
tered.  Next  we  have  Amos  Frost.  This  was  a 
temporary  appointment,  and  he  was  never  mus 
tered.  Next  we  have  Finley  C.  Lattimore,  who 
was  discharged  May  2,  1864,  for  disability. 

Aside  from  the  officers  already  mentioned  as 
lost  to  the  regiment,  and  whose  places  had  to  be 
filled  from  the  ranks,  the  following  line  officers, 
for  various  reasons,  were  lost  to  the  regiment: 

In  Company  A,  Thomas  J.  Moore,  First  Lieu 
tenant,  was  discharged  September  10,  1863. 

In  Company  B,  First  Lieutenant,  Francis  M. 
Rust,  resigned  February  1,  1863.  Second  Lieu 
tenant,  Alonxo  S.  Prather,  resigned  February  28, 
1864. 

In  Company  C,  Captain  Allen  W.  Prather  was 
promoted  to  Lieutenant-Colonel,  120th  Indiana, 
March  1,  1864.  First  Lieutenant  James  A.  Wil- 
lets,  was  dismissed  August  30,  1862.  Jacob  Hover, 
Second  Lieutenant,  Company  C,  resigned  May  22, 
1862. 

In  Company  D,  Captain  Samuel  Russell  was 
killed  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 


o(H)  HISTORY    OF    THK    SIXTH    REOIMENT. 

1863.  First  Lieutenant,  Andrew  J.  (-rrayson,  re 
signed  May  21,  1862.  Second  Lieutenant,  Charles 
F.  Miller,  resigned  May  14,  1862. 

In  Company  K.  Charles  K.  Van  Trees  resigned 
March  '2.  1863.  First  Lieutenant,  Henry  C.  Hall, 
resigned  February  13,  18(32.  First  Lieutenant. 
Alanson  Solomon,  died  May  11,  1862. 

In  Company  F,  Captain  J.  K.  B. .(.-Jlasseoek  re 
signed  February  13,  1863. 

In  Company  G,  Captain  James  Motfat  resigned 
May  21,  1862.  Second  Lieutenant,  Josiab  Fultz, 
resigned  March  28,  1862.  Second  Lieutenant. 
Jerome  I*.  Ilolcomb,  killed  accidentally  in  camp 
at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  May  12,  1863. 

In  Company  II,  Captain  William  M.  Davis  re 
signed  March  16,  1862.  Captain  John  Charlton 
resigned  May  21,  1862.  Captain  Frank  P.  Strader 
died  of  wounds  received  at  Missionary  Ridge, 
December  10,  1863.  Fir*t  Lieutenant.  John  Xeal, 
resigned  May  21,  1862.  Second  Lieutenant,  Em- 
sley  Shaddy,  resigned  April  1,  1863. 

In  Company  I,  Captain  Silas  1).  Huckleberry 
resigned  January  1,  1864. 

In  Company  K,  Captain  George  W.  Brown  re 
signed  August  8,  1863.  First  Lieutenant,  Wil 
liam  H.  Smock,  resigned  March  28,  1862.  First 
Lieutenant,  George  B.  Green,  died  October  28, 
1863.  of  wounds  received  October  27,  1863,  at 
Brown's  Ferry. 

Here  we  have  a  total  loss  to  the  regiment  of  39 
commissioned  officers  up  to  May  1,  1864. 


INTERESTING   STATEMENTS.  301 

When  the  old  Sixth  Indiana  was  reorganized, 
September  20,  1861,  she  had  tor  duty,  counting 
the  enlisted  men  : 

In  Company  A,  98  men.  Recruits  received  8, 
making  a  total  of  106  men.  May  1, 1864,  she  mus 
tered  for  duty  47  men,  showing  a  loss  of  59  men. 

Company  B  organized  with  9tf  men.  Recruits 
received  27,  making  a  total  of  125  men.  May  1, 
1864,  she  mustered  for  duty  67  men,  making  a  loss 
to  date  of  58  men. 

Company  C  organized  with  97  men.  Recruits 
received  11  men,  making  a  total  of  108  men.  May 
1,  1864,  mustered  for  duty  60  men,  making  a  total 
loss  to  date  of  48  men. 

Company  D  organized  with  90  men.  Recruits 
received  12,  making  a  total  of  102  men.  May  1, 
1864,  it  mustered  for  duty  43  men,  showing  a  loss 
to  date  of  59  men. 

Company  E  organized  with  83  men.  Recruits 
received  13,  making  96  men.  May  1, 1864,  it  mus 
tered  for  duty  33  men,  showing  a  loss  of  63  men 
to  date. 

Company  F  organized  with  95  men.  Recruits 
received  9,  making  104  men.  May  1, 1864,  it  mus 
tered  for  duty  55  men,  showing  n  loss  to  date  of 
49  men. 

Company  G  organized  with  98  men.  Recruits 
received  4.  making  102  men.  May  1,1864,  it  mus 
tered  for  duty  48  men,  showing  a  loss  to  date  of 
54  men. 


HISTORY    OF    THK    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

Company  II  organized  with  84  men.  Recruits 
received  15,  making  99  men.  May  1, 1864,  it  mus 
tered  for  duty  44  men,  making  a  loss  of  55  men  to 
date. 

Company  I  organized  with  94  men.  Recruits 
received  9,  making  103  men.  May  1,  1864,  it  mus 
tered  for  duty  89  men,  showing  a  loss  of  64  men. 

Company  K  organized  with  91  men.  Recruits 
received  6,  making  97  men.  May  1,  1864,  it  mus 
tered  for  duty  40  men,  showing  a  loss  to  date  of 
57  men. 

If  this  calculation  .is  correct,  it  shows  that  the 
regimental  staff  consisted,  May  1,  1864,  of  1  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel,  1  Major,  1  Adjutant,  1  Quarter- 
Master,  1  Chaplain,  and  1  Assistant  Burgeon. 

Our  regiment  at  this  time  was  commanded  by 
Major  Caruphell,  who  held  a  commission  as  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel,  hut  was  not  mustered  until  the  6th 
of  May,  1864.  Captain  McKeehan  was  commis 
sioned  Major  on  the  1st  day  of  May,  hut  never  was 
mustered  as  Major.  Mr.  Joseph  .1.  Siddall  was 
Adjutant,  George  W.  Crahh  was  Quartermaster, 
George  W.  Pye  was  Chaplain,  and  William  A. 
Collins  was  Assistant  Surgeon. 

May  1.  1864,  the  officers  of  Company  A  were: 
Captain,  Delaney  Kavanaugh :  First  Lieutenant, 
flames  C.  Whaley. 

The  officers  of  Company  B  were:  Captain, 
Samuel  F.  McKeehan:  First  Lieutenant,  Pleasant 
C.  McGanmm. 


INTERESTING    STATEMENTS.  303 

The  officers  of  Company  0  were:  First  Lieu 
tenant,  William  A.  Cuiftmings;  Second  Lieutenant, 
Charles  A.  May. 

The  officers  of  Company  D  were:  Captain, 
Andrew  F.  Conner  and  William  P.  Dillon,  who,  at 
that  time,  ranked  as  Second  Lieutenant. 

The  officers  of  Company  E  were :  Captain, 
Oscar  F.  Ixodarmel ;  First  Lieutenant,  Henry  E- 
Van  Trees. 

The  officers  of  Company  F  were:  Captain, 
Andrew  J.  Newland ;  First  Lieutenant,  Moses 
•Crawford,  and  Second  Lieutenant,  John  Barrett. 

The  officers  of  Company  G  were:  Captain, 
Samuel  T.  Finney;  First  Lieutenant,  William  N. 
Williams. 

The  officers  of  Company  II.  were:  Captain, 
James  F.  Simpson ;  Second  Lieutenant,  Charles 
Seal. 

The  officers  of  Company  I  were  :  Captain,  Dan 
iel  W.  Conner;  First  Lieutenant,  Kxra  J.  Wool- 
man. 

The  officers  of  Company  K  were:  Captain, 
Charles  C.  Briant;  First  Lieutenant,  Lewis  II. 
Hill. 

A  recapitulation  shows  that  the  strength  of  the 
Sixth  Indiana,  May  J,  1864,  was: 

Field  and  staff.. •"> 

Line  officers 21 

Enlisted  men,  Company  A  47 

B  67 

C  60 

"  "  "  I)  .  48 


304  HISTORY    OF   THE   SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

Enlisted  men,  Company    E  33 

F  55 

G  48 

H  44 

I  39 

K  .  40 


Total  strength  of  regiment 502 

That  the  reader  may  see  the  comparative  results, 
and  the  wear  and  tear  upon  the  physical  ability  of 
men  to  endure  such  hardships  as  they  were  com 
pelled  to  go  through'  in  defense  of  the  Union,  I 
will  now  give  the  strength  of  our  regiment  when 
first  organized. 

September  20,  18<>1,  when  the  regiment  first 
answered  to  roll-call,  she  numbered  as  follows: 

Field  and  staff  and  band 81 

Company  officers 30 

Enlisted  men     920 

Total  recruits  received       114 


Total  strength  to  be  accounted  for 1095 

Total  strength  May  1, 1864  502 


Total  loss  incident  to  warfare 593 

At  the  above  rate  of  loss  not  a  man  of  the  orig 
inal  organization  would  remain  at  the  end  of  five 
years.  The  United  States  enlists  men  for  the  reg 
ular  army  for  a  period  of  not  less  than  five  years. 
They  are  invariably  young  and  stout,  healthy 
men.  Their  treatment  is  generally  such  as  to  de 
velop  every  faculty  of  the  physical  system,  plenty 


PREPARING    FOR    ATLANTA    CAMPAIGN.  306 

and  regular  rations,  good  shelter,  no  exposure,  no 
forced  marches,  no  great  battles,  and  no  prison 
pens,  while  the  volunteer  soldier  tor  the  Union 
had  to  endure  all  these  privations.  Besides  tins, 
the  volunteer  army  in  the  rebellion  was  composed 
of  men  yet  in  their  teens,  while  some  were  in  their 
fifties.  Young  and  old  alike  placed  side  by  side 
in  the  ranks,  required  to  carry  the  same  load  and 
to  march  the  same  number  of  miles,  physically  un 
equal  as  they  were,  still  they  were  required  to  per 
form  an  equal  amount  of  labor  regardless  of  the 
results.  No  wonder  that  under  such  circumstances 
over  one-half  of  our  regiment  should  have  been 
swept  from  the  rolls  in  about  two  and  one-half 
years. 

But  the  end  is  not  yet.  Although  tired  and 
weary,  worn  to  skin  and  bone,  this  remnant  of 
old  veterans  must  plunge  still  deeper  into  danger 
and  hardships.  A  few  of  them  are  still  left,  and 
their  services  are  too  valuable  to  let  them  go  yet 
awhile.  The  rebellion  is  not  yet  crushed  out— 
the  Union  is  not  yet  saved — and  again  we  strike 
out  for  the  front,  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  of  our 
country.  On  the  Oth  of  May,  the  armies  repre 
senting  the  controlling  strength  of  the  contending 
powers  in  the  west,  lay  confronting  each  other  on 
the  eve  of  one  of  the  greatest  canpaigns  of  a  war, 
made  memorable  in  the  annals  of  the  world  by 
the  magnitude  of  armies,  the  frequency  of  great 
battles,  and  immense  compass  of  military  opera 
tions. 
20 


CHAPTER  xvirr. 

\TL\NTA    CAMPAIGN. 

The  bugle  sounds  the  forward,  May  7— Tunnel  Hill  and  Buzzard 
Koont — Rocky  Face  Ridge — Severe  engagement — The  Sixth 
Indiana  trees  the  "  Jennies"— They  roll  rocks  down  at  us — 
The  enemy  fall  back  to  Resaca — We  move  forward — Our 
charge  of  the  enemy's  %works  at  Resaca— The  result  a  failure 
—  It  cost  us  25  men— Nevertheless  the  enemy  retreats — We 
pursue  and  overtake  at  Kingston— Destructive  work  of  our 
artillery — The  enemy  again  danked — We  camp  at  Burnt 
Hickory — The  enemy  takes  position  at  New  Hope. 

The  bugle  sounded  the  forward  for  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland  on  the  7th  of  May.  The  enemy 
made  a  show  of  resistance,  hut  when  our  corps 
struck  them  on  the  left,  at  Tunnell  Hill,  they  fled 
to  Buzzard  Roost.  On  the  next  day  Woods'  di 
vision  was  required  to  throw  out  skirmish  lines, 
and.  as  usual,  the  Sixth  Indiana  was  placed 
in  the  front.  The  hoys  will  remember  how  we 
pressed  the  enemy  along  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  until, 
as  it  were,  we  treed  them  on  Buzzard  Roost.  Buz 
zard  Roost  is  one  of  the  peculiar  freaks  of  nature 
worthy  of  note.  It  is  situated  on  the  highest 
point  of  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  composed  of  huge 
rocks  piled  one  upon  another,  getting  smaller  as 
they  get  higher,  until  it  seems  to  terminate  almost 
in  a  point,  towering  several  hundreed  feet  above 
the  'alleys  all  around  it.  <  hi  tin*  bare  rocky 


TTiVNEL    H[LL    AND    BU//ARD    ROOST.  307 

tower  the  buzzards,  by  the  hundreds,  would  con 
gregate  for  a  resting'  place  at  night,  and  no  won 
der  it  was  given  the  name  of  Buzzard  Roost. 

Our  corps,  the  Fourth,  made  several  unsuccess 
ful  attempts  to  charge  the  enemy  on  Rocky  Face 
Ridge,  but  his  position  was  too  strong.  We  did, 
however,  run  them  to  the  very  top  of  the  hill. 
One  charge  the  Sixth  Indiana  made  sent  them  to 
the  verv  top,  but  it  was  so  rough,  rocky  and  steep 
that  we  could  do  nothing,  while  they  amused  them 
selves  by  rolling  large  rocks  down  at  us.  The 
boys  would  not  dodge  the  bullets,  but  when  great 
big  rocks,  the  size  of  a  flour  barrel,  was  seen  com 
ing  down  the  side  of  the  mountain,  bounding  many 
feet  in  the  air,  and  again  cutting  oft*  small  trees, 
truth  compels  me  to  say  that  the  boys  gave  it  a 
wide  wake. 

The  entire  army,  except  our  own  corps,  had  been 
drawn  away  from  the  front  and  sent  through  Snake 
Creek  Gap,  on  the  right,  as  a  flank  movement. 
This  forced  the  enemy  to  retreat  toward  Resaca, 
while  our  corps  (Howard's)  followed  closely  the 
retreating  rebels  to  his  next  position  at  Resaca, 
and  on  the  14th  the  Sixth  Indiana  was  located  on 
the  high  chestnut  hills  to  the  north  of  that  town. 
During  the  several  days  the  regiment  was  engaged 
near  and  on  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  she  sustained  the 
loss  of  Isiiac  T.  Hall,  killed  on  May  9,  and  John 
McLellan,  killed  May  9,  both  of  Company  B  ;  also, 
Jasper  Reed,  of  Company  G,  was  wounded,  May 
9.  Milton  Beebe,  of  Company  H,  was  wounded  so 


808  HISTORY    01     THK    SIXTH    KKiilMKNT. 

severely  liere  at  Buzzard  Roost  that  lie  died,  May 
22,  18«4. 

On  the  same  day  that  we  got  into  the  works,  he- 
fore  Resaea,  onr  gallant  old  chieftain  made  an  un 
successful  attempt  to  turn  the  enemy's  left  flank, 
in  order  to  prevent  his  retreat.  General  Palmer 
who  occupied  the  left-center  of  our  line  made  a 
vigorous  effort  to  carry  the  position  in  his  front, 
hut  was  repulsed  with  a  heavy  loss  of  seven  hun 
dred  and  fifty-five  men.  The  rehel  commander 
made  also  a  desperate  attempt  to  turn  our  left,  and 
it  was  this  demonstration  that  brought  on  the  des 
perate  fighting  hy  Hooker's  Corps,  immediately  on 
our  left.  The  members  of  the  Sixth  Indiana,  no 
doubt,  to  this  day,  remember  seeing  the  gallant 
charge  of  Hooker's  men,  just  on  our  le  t,  as  they 
went  down  across  the  field.  The  hoys  will  also 
remember  that  we  ourselves  charged  the1  enemy  at 
this  same  time.  Don't  you  remember,  boys,  that 
we  received  orders  to  be  ready  to  advance  at  the 
sound  of  the  bugle''  Von  will  remember,  also  that 
our  brigade  commander,  ( Jeneral  1  la/en,  was  stand 
ing  just  to  the  rear  of  our  regiment,  and  when 
the  bugle  sounded  he  gave  the  Orders  to  forward. 
Don't  you  remember  how  gallantly  we  leaped  from 
the  temporary  works,  we  had  hurriedly  thrown 
up.  and  sprung  out  down  the  hill  toward  the  rebel 
works?  And  don't  you  also  remember  how  un- 
gallantly  we  got  back  up  the  hill  again,  to  our 
own  hiding  place?  This  movement  of  "  forward 
and  back  again,"  was  done  in  one  time  and  two 
motions,  and  in  the  key  of  k4  ( J  "  sharp. 


SEVERE    ENGAGEMENT.  309 

rnfortunately,  the  writer  was  one  of  the  men 
who  had  to  obey  this  foolish  order,  and  I  want  to 
tell  you  that  at  one  time,  I  thought  I  was  good  for 
a  trip  down  South,  when  we  began  to  near  tin- 
rebel  works  nearly  all  the  regiment  very  sensibly 
turned  and  went  hack,  while  Lieutenant  L.  II. 
Hill,  of  Co.  K,  and  Lieutenant  P.  0.  McGannon, 
Co.  B  and  myself,  either  had  more  courage  or  less 
sense  and  went  on  toward  the  rebel  works,  fol 
lowed  by  some  twenty  or  thirty  men,  when  we 
made  the  discovery  that  there  was  only  a  small 
squad  of  us  still  trying  to  obey  the  order,  while 
all  the  balance  had  returned;  all  hope  was  gone 
and  we  too,  turned  to  seek  safety;  we  were  not 
more  than  one  hundred  feet  from  the  works,  when 
we  turned,  and  the  whole  rebel  tire  was  concen 
trated  on  us,  and  it  took  only  an  instant  to  deter 
mine  that  it  was  sure  death  to  every  man,  to  un 
dertake  to  get  back  to  our  lines  just  then,  so  we 
made  a  rush  for  a  sink  hole,  into  which  we  plunged 
all  spraddled  out.  And  yet  our  safety  depended 
upon  laying  to  the  ground,  and  the  flatter  the  bet 
ter;  and  iny  opinion  then  was  that  Lieutenant 
Hill  was  the  flattest  man  I  ever  saw.  But  our 
condition  was  very  critical  indeed,  as  both  sides 
bad  opened  a  most  deadly  musketry  tire,  while  the 
artillery  of  both  sides  were  raining  shot  and  shell 
into  each  other's  lines. 

All  this  was  going  on  over  our  unholy  heads, 
and  I  hope  the  reader  will  not  think  me  joking 
when  I  say  that  1  did  not  enjoy  it  a  bit.  To  at- 


310  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

tempt  to  retreat  was  certain  death.  To  remain 
where  we  were  made  us  liable  to  he  raptured  any 
moment.  But  all  at  once  the  tiring  ceased,  or 
nearly  so,  and  this  was  our  chance.  Some  fellow 
proposed  to  make  the  break  tor  our  lines.  It  was 
agreed  to,  and  at  a  given  "order''  every  fellow 
sprung  to  his  feet,  and  away  we///"'  up  the  hill. 
The  whole  rebel  line  opened  up  <>n  us,  and  one 
would  think  that  at  the  rate  we  went  the  bullets 
could  not  catch  us:  but  still  one  poor  fellow  was 
badly  wounded.  The  only  wonder  is  that  any  of 
us  escaped,  and  another  wonder  is  that,  after  such 
a  "flattening,"  any  of  us  ever  again  got  back  to 
our  former  rotundity.  This  was  on  the  15th,  and 
ended  the  fighting  of  our  regiment  for  the  day, 
and  some  time  during  the  night  the  rebel  army 
pulled  out  for  (1alhoun,  destroying  the  bridge  over 
the  Oostananla  River. 

Our  total  loss  in  this  series  of  engagements  was 
about  800  killed  and  over  4,000  wounded.  About 
1,000  prisoners  were  taken,  besides  eight  cannon. 
The  rebel  loss  was  about  2,500.  The  Sixth  Indi 
ana  lost  in  killed  and  Wounded  the  following 
named  men  : 

OFFICERS. 

Co.  13.     Pleasant  C.  McGannan,  wounded. 

ENLISTKIi    MEN. 

Co.  A.     John  W.  Anderson,  wounded. 
Garnet  1).  Land,  killed. 


SEVERE    ENGAGEMENT.  811 

Co.  B.     Leonard  Ennis,  killed  May  15. 

Samuel  II.  Tull,  wounded. 
Co.  C.     Jonathan  C.  Poland,  wounded. 
Co.  D.     Thomas  Q.  Brady,  wounded.- 

Henry  Connet,  wounded. 

"William  McCullough,  killed. 
Co.  E.    None  reported, 
Co.  F.     Xone  reported. 
Co.  G.     Samuel  Brannan,  wounded. 

William  H.  Bright,  wounded. 

James  Campbell,  wounded. 

Gabriel  Cash,  killed. 

John  Ewing,  wTounded. 

Aaron  lluffer,  wounded. 

Richard  Hoffman,  wounded. 

William  John  McComs,  killed. 

Jordan  Miller,  killed. 

James  P.  McCain,  wounded. 
Co.  H.     Aaron  Day,  killed. 

Jesse  Hays,  wounded. 
Co.     I.     None. 
Co.  K.     Wm.  P.  Ensminger,  wounded. 

Lorenzo  D.  Martin,  wounded. 

Daniel  M.  Shubart,  wounded. 

James  T.  Jordan,  wounded. 

Here  we  Lave  a  loss  to  the  regiment  of  one 
officer  and  twenty-four  men,  and  in  the  short  space 
of  fifteen  days,  our  regiment  sustains  a  loss  of 
twenty-five  at  Resaca  and  three  at  Rocky  Face, 
making  28.  This  from  our  muster  roll  of  May  1,  of 
502  leaves  for  duty  474  ;  and  still  the  end  is  not  yet. 


312  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

On  (lie  morning  of  the  l<>th,  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  occupied  Resaca:an<l  General  Sher 
man  gave  orders  for  rapid  pursuit.  There  was 
delay,  however,  in  passing  the  river,  as  it  was 
necessary  to  throw  a  pontoon  bridge  at  Kesaca,  and 
at  points  above.  During  the  day  Howard's  Corps 
crossed  at  Kesaca  and  moved  forward  toward  Cal- 
houn.  Our  progress  was  slow,  as  stubborn  resist 
ance  was  offered  by  the  rear  guard  of  Johnson's 
Army. 

%  Our  corps  fought  the  enemy  back  inch  by  inch 
until  we  reached  Kingston,  which  place  we  reached 
on  the  18th  and  went  into  camp.  At  8  o'clock 
next  morning,  we  moved  against  the  enemy,  and 
again  it  was  a  running  tight,  but  near  Cassville, 
we  thought  sure  the  enemy  would  give  us  battle, 
but  when  Howard's  artillery  opened,  the  tirst  line 
of  the  enemy  retreated  in  confusion  and  our  corps 
advanced  and  occupied  the  position.  It  was  here 
at  Cassville  that  we  got  to  see  thvi  grandest  mili 
tary  display  I  ever  saw. 

The  enemy  had  taken  position  near  Cassville,  in 
the  woods,  with  a  large  field  just  in  their  front;  in 
this  h'eld  Howard's  whole  corps,  as  it  were,  passed 
in  review,  in  plain  sight  of  the  enemy,  and  then 
while  standing  closed  in  mass,  the  artillery  was 
brought  up  and  placed  in  position  to  shell  the 
woods,  in  which  the  rebels  were  stationed.  There 
were  some  fifty  pieces  of  artillery  and  at  a  given 
signal  they  were  all  to  open  on  the  woods.  The 
boys  will  remember  that  our  regiment  was  called 


WE    TREE    THE    "  JOHNNIES."  o!3 

on  to  defend  a  battery  and  tliat  we  took  position 
just  in  front  of  it.  Donft  you  remember,  liow  the 
large  guns  belched  tlie  tire  and  smoke  down  over 
us? 

The  signal  gun  sounded,  and  then  she  opened 
up,  and  Great  Heaven*!  "Talk  about  noises/' 
such  a  noise  and  such  a  sight,  is  not  often  wit 
nessed  by  mortal  man. 

Each  gun  was  required  to  tire  as  rapidly  as  it 
could  be  loaded,  and  this  kept  up  for  at  least  ten 
or  fifteen  minutes.  The  woods  were  thick  and 
heavy,  and  into  this  the  shot  and  shell  rained  like 
hail,  in  a  field  of  standing  grain.  The  limbs  were 
falling  and  timber  being  knocked  in  every  direc 
tion.  When  the  tiring  ceased  the  only  thing  to  be 
heard  was  the  echo  of  Howard's  destructive  artil 
lery  and  when  this  died  away,  we  could  hear  away 
to  the  front  a  rattling,  tumbling  noise,  which  we 
did  not  fully  understand,  until  the  next  day,  as  we 
passed  along  by  the  woods  and  through  Cassville, 
the  ground  in  the  woods  was  Utterly  covered  with 
the  green  limbs  of  the  trees.  These  woods  were  full 
of  rebels  when  the  cannon  opened  on  them,  and  in 
a  few  minutes  they  all  broke  in  wild  disorder  and 
confusion,  and  an  old  man  in  Cassville  told  me 
that  he  never  saw  men  so  confused  in  his  life,  that 
both  officers  and  men  were  running  at  full  speed 
for  the  rear,  and  that  there  was  no  signs  of  any 
organization  like  a  company  or  a  regiment,  it 
seemed  to  be  every  fellow  for  himself.  This  oc 
curred  about  sundown  and  the  whole  rebel  armv 


314  HISTORY    OF  THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

crossed  the  Etowah  River  fourteen  miles  away, 
and  burned  tlie  bridge  after  them,  that  night. 

The  enemy  next  took  position  at  Allatoona  pass. 

General  Sherman  did  not  pursue  beyond  the 
Etowali.  The  rough  hills  and  gorges  around  Al 
latoona  presented  such  obstacles  to  maneuver  and 
attack  as  to  deter  him  from  a  direct  advance.  He 
chose  rather  to  make  a  detour  to  the  right,  to 
turn  Allatoona,  or  throw  his  armies  upon  John 
son's  communications  at  Marietta  or  the  Chat- 
tahoochee  River.  He  accordingly  gave  orders  for 
a  few  days  of  rest,  and  time  to  repair  the  railroad 
to  Cassville  and  accumulate  'supplies  at  Resaca. 
On  the  23d  General  Sherman  put  his  armies  in  mo 
tion  south  of  the  Etowali.  Each  army  had  supplies 
for  twenty  days  in  wagons.  Our  corps  (Howard's) 
encamped  that  night  just  beyond  a  small  stream 
they  called  Euharley  Creek.  The  members  of 
the  Sixth  will  remember  when  we  crossed  this 
little  stream.  The  rebels  had  attempted  to  burn 
the  bridge,  and  it  was  hardly  safe  to  cross  on  ac 
count  of  being  nearly  burned  oft':  and  then  they 
will  also  remember  that  we  marched  late  at  night 
in  a  drizzling  rain. 

Andrew  B.  Sands,  of  Company  K,  my  company, 
will  certainly  remember  how  impatient  he  became, 
so  much  so  that  he  cursed  everything  and  every 
body  from  the  Colonel  up  to  the  President.  Poor 
Andy  was  no  worse  oft'  than  the  balance  of  us, 
but  he  got  very  hot,  and  took  this  plan  to  cool  oft'; 
and  still,  when  we  fell  in  next  morning  (24th),  at 


THE    MARCH    RESUMED.  315 

daylight,  for  a  forward  inarch,  Andy  was  cooled 
otf  and  ready  for  duty,  and  there  was  no  better 
soldier  in  Company  K,  nor  one  more  ready  or  will 
ing  to  do  his  duty,  than  my  dear  old  comrade 
Andy.  The  distance  we  marched  this  day  was 
not  so  very  far,  but  it  was  awful  hot  and  tiresome. 
We  camped  on  the  night  of  the  24th  at  u  Burnt 
Hickory." 

The  march  was  resumed  next  morning,  and  our 
corps  bore  to  the  right  in  order  to  give  other  com 
mands  room  on  roads  running  parallel,  and  all  un 
der  order  to  concentrate  at  Dallas.  The  country 
in  front  of  us  was  hilly  and  covered  with  timber. 
This  rough  condition  of  the  country  afforded  John 
son  an  opportunity  to  select  the  strongest  positions 
to  impede  our  progress,  and  he  would  generally 
fortify  and  hold  his  position  until  we  made  an  un 
successful  attempt  to  force  his  position  and  then 
fall  back.  This  kind  of  warfare  was  costing  Sher 
man  ten  men  to  Johnson's  one,  and  if  it  could  be 
kept  up  long  enough  would  eventually  win,  and 
Sherman  knew  it,  too,  and  consequently  was  doing 
his  best  to  force  Johnson  to  tight.  This  move 
ment  to  the  right  and  concentration  on  Dallas 
caused  Johnson  to  leave  Imposition  at  Allatoona 
and  throw  his  army  across  Sherman's  road  near 
Dallas,  and  he  took  another  position  near  New 
Hope. 


CIIAITKR   XIX. 

THE  BATTLE  OP  NEW  HOI-E. 

We  are  the  screw  to  a  big  auger — The  desperate  charge — We 
narrowly  escape  capture  — Description  of  the  battle — The  losses 
sustained— Our  next  move  to  Kennesaw — The  charge  upon 
Kenesaw — Total  IOPS  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  in  June. 

When  tliis  was  discovered  we  again  thought  we 
would  get  to  try  the  strength  of  .Johnson's  army, 
and  the  2oth  and  2b'th  was  taken  up  in  securing 
positions  for  action.  An  effort  to  turn  the  rebel 
riifht  Hank  received  the  personal  attention  of  Gen 
erals  Sherman  and  Thomas,  in  addition  to  General 
Howard,  who  was  ordered  to  furnish  the  assault 
ing  column.  General  T.  .1.  Wood's  division  of  the 
Fourth  Corps  was  selected  to  make  the  assault. 
This  movement  was  on  the  27th.  and  after  a  good 
deal  of  maneuvering  to  get  in  position,  about 
5  o'clock  in  the  evening  Hazen's  brigade  of 
Wood's  division  was  placed  in  the  lead  and  the 
assault  ordered  and  attempted  with  great  vigor. 
The  reader  will  please  remember  that  General 
Ha/en  is  our  brigade  commander,  and  a  brave. 
dashing  officer  he  was:  not  a  member  of  the  old 
Sixth  that  did  not  know  him  personally;  and  on 
this  occasion  he  left  his  horse  in  the  rear  and  took 
it  afoot,  ami  all  the  time  we  were  driving  in  the 
skirmishers  and  their  reserves  General  Haxen  was 


THE    DESPERATE    CHARGE.  817 

with  our  regiment  on  the  front  line,  and  continued 
there  until  the  final  charge  was  ordered,  or  on  up 
until  we  came  to  the  edge  of  the  field,  over  which 
we  charged.  Here  we  left  the  General  behind  a 
tree  and  dashed  down  across  the  field. 

This  field,  as  near  as  I  can  now  estimate  it,  con 
tained  about  ten  acres,  with  woods  all  around  it. 
About  the  center  was  a  deep  ravine,  running  so 
that  we  went  square  across  it  in  reaching  the  rebel 
works.  It  was  quite  steep  down  to  the  ravine, 
and  even  more  so  up  to  the  rebel  position,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  field.  About  one  hundred  and 
fifty  yards  to  the  left  of  our  regiment,  as  we  went 
across  the  field,  was  Pumpkin  Vine  Creek,  into 
which  the.  deep  ravine  we  crossed  emptied  its 
waters.  The  space  between  our  left  and  Pumpkin 
Vine  Creek  was  occupied  by  the  Twenty-third 
Kentucky,  of  our  brigade.  The  left  of  the  Twenty- 
third  rested  on  the  creek.  Its  bank  was  a  steep 
bluff,  except  where  the  ravine  emptied  into  it. 
Along  the  bank  of  this  was  a  rail  fence  the  length 
of  the  field,  and  the  left  of  the  Twenty-third,  as  it 
charged  across  the  field,  moved  right  along  this 
fence.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  field  was  the 
rebel  works,  hastily  built  of  the  rails  of  the  same 
fence  that  enclosed  the  field.  On  our  right  was 
the  Fifth  Kentucky,  commanded  by  Colonel  Berry. 
In  charging  across  the  field,  these  three  regiments 
kept  abreast  of  each  other  until  the  Fifth  Ken 
tucky  struck  the  corner  of  a  little  woods  which 
run  down  toward  the  ravine  from  the  ri^ht  hand 


318  HISTORY    OF    THK    SIXTH    KKUIMENT. 

further  corner  of  the  enclosure.  In  these  woods 
they  stopped,  while  the  Sixth  Indiana  and  Twenty- 
third  Kentucky  went  on  up  the  hill  and  captured 
the  rebel  works  the  full  Jength  of  our  two  regi 
ments.  Captain  Samuel  McKeehan,  who  was 
acting  Major,  and  who  was  the  ranking  officer 
over  there,  made  the  discovery  that  we  had  no 
support  on  either  mink,  and  told  the  writer  to  go 
down  where  Colonel  Berry  was,  in  the  woods,  and 
tell  him  to  charge  up  and  take  the  rebel  line  on 
his  front,  or  we  would  be  compelled  to  fall  back. 
I  instantly  turned  to  the  right  and  started  in  a 
quick  run,  quartering  to  the  rear,  thinking  Colonel 
Berry  was  about  in  that  direction.  I  had  gone 
about  one  hundred  feet,  which  brought  .me  directly 
in  front  of  the  rebels,  who  still  held  their  line  on 
our  right,  when  one  of  them  tired  at  me  as  I  run, 
but  I  was  going  a  little  too  fast.  The  ball  plowed 
across  the  small  of  the  back,  but  not  deep  enough 
to  cripple  ;  so,  after  turning  a  somersault,  and  going 
through  some  other  gymnastic  performances, 
I  bounded  oft'  down  the  hill,  found  the  Colonel 
and  delivered  my  message,  and.  with  all  possible 
speed,  made  my  way  back  to  my  post  in  the  reg 
iment ;  but  the  first  sight,  upon  my  return,  was 
the  prostrate  form  of  Major  McKeehan  lying  on 
his  face.  I  ran  to  him  and  lifted  his  head,  when 
he  put  up  his  hand,  caught  my  coat  collar  and 
pulled  me  down,  then  as  well  as  lie  could  speak 
(for  the  poor  fellow  was  shot  in  the  mouth),  told  me 
to  never  mind  him,  but  look  after  the  men. 


WE    NARROWLY    ESCAPE    CAPTURE.  319 

I  laid  his  head  back  on  the  ground  and  straight 
ened  up  with  my  face  full  to  the  front.  The  first 
look  discovered  a  rebel  column  in  good  order  mov 
ing*  at  quick  time  toward  Pumpkin  Vine  Creek. 
I  thought  this  meant  mischief,  and  broke  at  the 
top  of  my  speed  to  the  left,  down  the  line  toward 
the  creek,  passing  to  the  top  of  the  bluff  beyond 
the  extreme  left  of  the  Twenty-third  Kentucky. 
From  here  I  could  see  no  help  anywhere;  but  this 
rebel  column  had  passed  by  our  left,  down  the 
creek,  and  were  just  coming  into  the  field  at  the 
mouth  of  the  ravine,  and  in  five  minutes  more  time 
would  have  been  completely  in  our  rear.  I  in 
stant!  j  gave  the  command  to  retreat,  and  at  the 
same  time,  with  all  possible  speed,  went  back  up 
to  my  own  regiment,  yelling  at  the  top  of  my  voice 
all  the  way  up,  "  Retreat !  Retreat !"  and  as  soon  as 
I  arrived  at  my  own  regiment  and  company  I  gave 
the  order,  "  Retreat  square  to  the  rear  or  we  will 
be  captured."  It  is  needless  to  say  that  both  reg 
iments  broke  in  wild  disorder  for  a  place  of  safety. 
But  the  amusing  part  of  this  performance  was  to 
see  the  rebel  commander  ride  in  the  midst  of  the 
Twenty-third  Kentucky  boys,  and  with  a  very 
gentle,  sweet  voice,  tell  them  to  halt  and  form  their 
lines,  while  his  own  men,  with  fixed  bayonets,  were 
corning  as  fast  as  their  legs  would  carry  them.  The 
boys  did  not  halt,  all  the  same.  But  the  curious 
part  was  that  they  were  so  much  excited  that  they 
did  not  notice  the  rebel  Colonel,  but  made  their 
way  into  our  own  line  and  were  saved,  except  a  few 


820  HISTORY    OF   THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

on  the  extreme  left,  near  the  creek.  The  old  Sixth 
run  the  gauntlet  with  the  loss  of  ten  men  captured. 
By  the  time  we  reached  our  line,  which  was  at  the 
fence  at  the  edge  of  the  field,  it  was  so  near  night 
that  no  further  demonstrations  were  made  that 
day.  The  fellows  that  came  so  near  getting  us, 
simply  tell  hack  into  their  old  line,  while  our  hoys 
fortified,  and  so  we  rested  for  the  night,  with  the 
field  between  us. 

General  Woods'  division  lost  over  fourteen  hun 
dred  men  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The  loss 
of  life  in  our  regiment  was  terrible,  and  see  how 
near  we  come  to  being  captured,  which  would  have 
about  finished  our  earthly  career,  as  the  old  boys 
were  about  done  up  anyhow;  not  man v  of  them 
could  have  survived  another  year  in  rebel  prison 
pens,  in  our  already  exhausted  condition. 

Our  losses  in   this  engagement  were  as  follows: 

Officers  in 

(•o.  A.     Samuel  K.  McKeehan,  killed. 
Co.  0.     First  Lieut.  William  A.  Cummings,  killed. 
Co.   I>.     Captain  Andrew  F.  Conner,  killed. 
Co.  F.     Captain  Andrew  J.  Xewland,  killed. 

The  loss  among  the  enlisted  men  of  the  regiment, 
May  27,  1804 : 
Co.  A.     Thomas  Copeland,  wounded. 

Matthew  Ilillis,  May  23,  killed. 
Edwin  D.  Jordan,  May  21,  wounded. 
Co.  B.     .John  Tillman,  killed. 

Jeptha  King,  wounded. 
John  B.  Wilson,  captured. 
Jeremiah  Ca^le,  killed. 


TIIK    LOSSKS    SUSTAINED.  821 

Co.   C.     William  R.  Warren,  captured. 

William  L.  Dowell,  captured. 

William  II.  Spicer,  captured. 

John  Davenport,  captured. 
Co.  I).     Thomas  13.  Boyer,  May  2(3,  wounded. 

Dominick  Barrett,  wounded. 

James  W.  Perry,  killed. 
Co.  E.     Levi  Meads,  captured. 
Co.   F.     Iverson  Paun,  killed. 

Kobert  Townsend,  killed. 
Co.  (jr.     Finley  Bixler,  wounded. 
Co.  II.     Charles  Xeal,  wounded. 

Charles  W.  Heath,  wounded. 

Martin  K.  Cole,  wounded. 

George  Courtney,  wounded  and  captured. 

Charles  A.  Kthriugtou,  killed. 

Joshua  W.  Griffith,  killed. 

Enoch  Tlinman,  captured. 

Joseph  M.  Pearce,  wounded. 

Thomas  C.  Sharp,  wounded. 

Joseph  II.  Seoopmire,  wounded. 
Co.    I.     William  Martin,  wounded. 

Henry  Bromley,  killed. 

John  M.  Denton,  captured. 

John  II.  Koss,  captured, 
Co.  K.     Joshua  Chitwood,  wounded. 

William  Jackson,  killed. 

Jessee  X.  Kersey,  killed. 

Thomas  W.  Lewis,  wounded. 

William  K.  Wiley,  wounded  and  captured. 
The  above  record  shows  a   loss  to  the  regiment 
21 


322  HISTORY    OF   THE   SIXTH    RKG1MENT. 

since  we  left  Resaca  of  4  officers  and  87  enlisted 
iiK-n,  a  total  of  41.  Our  hist  total  was  474,  less  41, 
leaves  488. 

And,  still,  the  end  is  not  yet.  And  once  more 
I  innst  call  the  attention  of  my  comrades  of  the 
Sixth  to  the  fact  of  our  being*  again  placed  in  the 
front  of  the  battle,  and  in  the  most  dangerous 
place  occupied  by  any  regiment  during  the  battle, 
except,  perhaps,  the  Twenty-third  Kentucky,  which 
was  just  as  dangerous  as  our  own  position,  but  no 
more  so.  I  regard  the  charge  down  across  this 
field,  and  the  critical  position  we  occupied  after  we 
captured  the  rebel  line  the  most  dangerous  position 
on  the  whole  line. 

During  the  month  of  May  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  lost  about  0,000  men:  titf  officers,  and 
l.OJMI  enlisted  men  were  killed:  801  officers,  and 
6,451  enlisted  men  were  wounded:  8  officers,  and 
858  men  were  missing.  This  alarming  loss  can  be 
more  fully  appreciated  it  we  will,  but  for  a  mo 
ment,  reflect  upon  the  loss  in  our  own  regiment, 
and  then  remember  the  great  number  of  regiments 
it  must  take  to  make  the  great  army  under  Sher 
man. 

The  day  after  the  battle  at  New  Hope  we  lay 
simply  watching  the  enemy,  while  others  were  on 
the  front,  \Ve  moved  slowly  toward  the  east  a 
few  miles  nearly  every  day,  and  was  a  full  month 
getting  from  New  Hope  to  Kenesaw,  a  distance  of 
not  over  twenty  miles.  Twenty-one  days  of  June 
it  rained  verv  hard  and  flushed  all  the  little 


THE    CHARGE    I'PON    KENESAW.  823 

streams  in  the  country,  which  no  doubt  hindered 
our  forward  movement  considerably.  I  can  re 
member  no  particular  mishaps  that  befell  the  Sixth 
Indiana  during  this  long,  tedious  movement  to  the 
left.  "We  lay  for  several  days  in  camp  near  Kene 
saw,  and  when  the  charge  was  made  upon  the 
rebel  stronghold  there,  I  thought  sure  the  old 
Sixth  would  be  again  placed  in  the  front  line,  but 
I  am  happy  to  say  that  on  this  occasion  we  acted 
only  as  a  reserve,  and  did  not  get  into  the  conflict 
there  on  the  27th  of  June,  and  we  are  thankful 
for  it. 

Our  regiment  was  on  the  skirmish  line  several 
times  while  on  our  trip  across  to  Kenesaw,  and  a 
few  unfortunate  comrades  are  here  reported: 

John  W.  Long,  of  Company  D,  was  wounded  on 
the  skirmish  line,  June  18,  18(>4,  while  near  Ken 
esaw  Mountain,  Ga. 

John  A.  Lloyd,  Company  F,  was  killed  on  the 
skirmish  line,  June  18,  1864,  near  Kenesaw,  Ga. 

Ansel  B.  Crippen,  Company  G,  wounded  June 
22,  18(34,  near  Kenesaw,  Ga.,  on  skirmish  line. 

John  W.  Xewkirk,  Company  H,  killed  June  18, 
1864,  on  skirmish  line,  near  Kenesaw,  Ga. 

John  looker,  Company  K,  killed  June  18,  18(14, 
near  Kenesaw,  on  skirmish  line. 

Here  we  are  called  upon  to  make  another  de 
duction  from  our  already  reduced  number  of  438, 
leaving  five  less  than  a  few  days  ago,  which  leaves 
us  only  428,  or  an  average  of  about  40  men  to  the 
company,  and  about  two-fifths  of  our  original 
number. 


324  HISTORY    OF   THE    SIXTH    RKGIMENT. 

During  the  month  of  June  the  Army  of  tin* 
Cumberland  lost  5.747  men.  Sixty-seven  officers 
killed,  259  wounded  and  8  missing;  H73  enlisted 
men  killed,  4.800  wounded  and  40  missing. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  MOVE  FROM  KENESANV. 

We  cross  the  Chattahoochee— Johnson  takes  position  behind 
Peachtree  Creek — We  move  on  to  Buckhead — The  Sixth  Indi 
ana  takes  the  skirmish  line— We  cross  Peachtree  on  logs  and 
driftwood — A  new  rebel  leader— Who  tries  to  draw  us  on— 
His  desperate  charges — His  final  repulse — The  enemy  driven 
within  the  city  limits — Sherman  drawing  his  lines  around  the 
city  of  Atlanta — The  Fourth  Corps  withdrawn  from  the  front 
—Our  term  of  service  expires,  we  leave  the  front — We  start 
for  home,  August  26,  1864. 

On  July  1st,  General  Sherman  gave  orders  for 
the  movement  of  liis  armies  to  the  right,  to  turn 
the  position  he  had  tailed  to  carry  by  assault.  On 
the  2d,  General  McPherson  moved  his  army,  and 
on  the  night  following,  General  Johnson  withdrew 
his  army,  and  when  morning  dawned,  was  far  on 
his  way  to  other  entrenchments. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  July  3d,  General 
Sherman  entered  Marietta,  sending  his  different 
armies  out  on  the  various  roads  in  pursuit  of  the 
retreating  rebel  army,  which,  however,  did  not 
act  like  it  was  very  badly  scared,  as  it  was  found 
only  five  miles  below  Marietta,  strongly  entrenched 
and  prepared  to  hold  us  at  bay,  long  enough,  any 
how,  to  allow  them  to  safely  cross  the  Chatta 
hoochee  Tliver.  The  strongly  entrenched  position 
bevond  the  river. held  l>v  the  enemv,  made  it  not 


326  HISTORY    OF    THK    SIXTH     RKiJIMKXT. 

advisable  to  try  to  force  a  passage'in  his  immediate 
front,  and  consequently  Sherman  moved  a  part  of 
his  forces  up  tin-  river  to  Rosweli.  a  little  town 
on  the  Chattahoochee,  northeast  of  Marietta,  and 
our  regiment  was  among  these  forces. 

We  left  (Mir  camp,  near  Kenesaw,  on  the  3d  of 
•hilv,  moved  through  Marietta  and  on  towai'<l  the 
river,  hut  bearing  to  the  left  in  the  direction  of 
Roswell.  Our  division  struck  the  Chattahoochee 
Hivei1  at  Powers"  Ferry,  which  is  ahout  fifteen 
miles  ahove  the  railroad  bridge.  The  old  Sixth 
Regiment  did  not  cross  the  river  until  ahout  the 
7th  of  .Inly,  hut  on  Hearing  the  ferry  we  had  a 
severe  skirmish  and  succeeded  in  driving  them 
away  so  as  t<>  allow  a  part  of  our  division  to  cross 
the  river  and  put  out  pickets.  While  we  lav  here 
on  the  hanks  of  the  river  for  two  or  three  days, 
other  portions  of  our  army  were  pressing  the 
enemy  for  possession  of  other  ferries,  hoth  ahove 
and  below  us.  General  Schotield  had  captured 
the  ferry  below  us.  and  eight  miles  ahove  the  rail 
road  bridge,  which  was  strong! v  guarded  bv  Gen 
eral  llardee. 

Our  boys  will  remember  of  hearing  the  roar  of 
artillery  down  the  river,  while  General  Garni  rd 
was  sent  up  the  river  to  capture  and  hold  the  ford 
at  Roswell,  which  he  did,  destroying  some  fac 
tories  that  for  some  reason  had  displayed  the 
French  flag.  By  the  9th  at  least  three  good  ferries 
had  been  secured  by  our  troops,  and  Sherman  was 
rapidly  throwing  his  army  across  the  Ohattah 


THE    SIXTH    INDIANA    TAKES    THE    SKIRMISH    LINE.    327 

cliee.  Tliis  caused  Johnson  to  again  tall  hack, 
this  time  taking  position  hehincl  Peach  Tree  Creek. 
Afteronr  division  crossed  the  river,  we  passed  down 
on  the  east  side  as  far  as  Price's  Ferry,  driving 
the  enemy  by  a  heavy  skirmish  line  all  the  way 
down.  When  we  arrived  at  the  Ferry,  we  held  it 
while  Hooker's  Corps  came  up  and  crossed. 
Hooker's  troops  relieved  us,  and  we  at  once  joined 
our  corps  and  moved  to  Buekhead.  On  the  night 
of  the  17th  our  corps  rested  on  Nancy's  Creek,  a 
tributary  of  Peach  Tree  Creek. 

The  movement  of  the  army  had  been  delayed 
that  it  might  have;  time  to  recruit  and  rest  up,  but 
bv  the  17th  Sherman  resumed  his  forward  move 
ment. 

Our  corps  now  lay  at  Buekhead,  a  small  town 
some  ten  or  twelve  miles  from  the  river,  and  in  the 
direction  of  Atlanta,  but  moved  up  and  helped  to 
form  one  continuous  line  of  battle,  with  our  faces 
all  turned  toward  Atlanta.  On  we  moved,  slowly 
and  cautious1^',  watching  every  step,  meeting  only 
a  strong  skirmish  line  of  the  enemy  both  on  the 
18th  and  l(Jth,  but  on  Tuesday,  July  19,  we  struck 
the  enemy  strongly  posted  on  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
among  the  hills  and  hi  lifts,  awaiting  our  approach*. 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th  our  division  was 
placed  on  the  front  line,  with  the  Sixth  Indiana 
on  the  skirmish  line,  when  we  undertook  to  cross 
the  creek,  which  we  did  on  drift-wood  and  logs. 
The  skirmishing  was  severe  and  our  crossing 
hotlv  contested,  but  the  Sixth  drove  the  rebel 


328  HISTORY    OF   THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

picket  bark  mi  their  reserve  ami  then  back  to 
their  iiiii'ni  line.  In  the  meanwhile  the  whole 
army  crossed  over,  paying  hut  little  attention  to 
the-  creek,  ami  formed  the  line  again. 

Hut  just  at  this  time  it  was  discovered  that  a 
gap  existed  between  Thomas  and  Schotield,  some 
distance  to  our  left,  and  we  were  imniediataly  re 
lieved  from  the  front,  and  our  division  and  Stan- 
lev's,  of  our  corps,  were  sent  on  quick  time  to  till 
this  gap,  and  it  was  a  lucky  move  for  the  old 
Sixth,  for  just  in  front  of  where  we  left  the  line 
the  enemy  was  lying/1//  ttio&ri,  just  ready  to  spring 
upon  us.  They  lay  quiet,  showing  lmt  little  signs 
of  resistance,  until  near  4  o'clock  in  the  evening: 
then  called  in  their  picket  lines  like-  they  were 
again  going  to  retreat,  hut  all  at  once  they  were 
seen  coining  in  line  of  battle  and  without  skir 
mishers.  With  a  yell  and  a  rush  they  made  for  the 
other  division  of  our  corps,  which  was  Newton's. 
It  was  a  surprise  indeed,  as  our  hoys  thought  they 
were  leaving  the  field  again.  But  our  hoys  were 
fortunate  in  having  a  temporary  rail  breastwork 
to  fall  behind.  Our  men  were  soon  rallied,  ami 
held  the  enemy  in  check.  The  order  was  given  to 
meet  the  charge1  with  counter-charge',  and  for  a 
while  tlu1  two  columns  were  mingling  in  battle, 
but  the  enemy  was  finally  driven  back.  The  bat 
tle  raged  until  about  9  o'clock  before  the  enemy 
gave  way.  but  being  repulsed  in  every  attack,  they 
fell  back  to  their  intrenchments,  leaving  many  of 
their  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field,  and  with  the 


A    NK\V    RKIJKL    LKADKR.  329 

loss  of  over  1,000  prisoners.  This  was  Hood's 
first  appearance  on  tin.1  field  after  lie  took  com 
mand  on  the  17th,  when  Johnson  was  relieved  as 
the  leader  of  the  rebel  army.  The  rebel  com 
mander,  Johnson,  was  by  far  the  best  General  of 
the  two,  but  the  eccentric  southern  fiery  chivalry 
wdtild  not  stand  this  idea  of  being  chased  all  over 
the  country,  and  they  were  going  to  show  the 
Yankee  invaders  that  this  business  was  going  to 
be  stopped,  so  Johnson  was  relieved  and  Hood 
placed  in  command.  Hood  was  goini>*  to  do  us  up 
in  short  order,  so  he  doubled  his  army  up  in  the 
shape  of  a  great  battering  ram,  and  here  he  come, 
but  his  experience  was  that  of  the  ram  that  was 
tied  to  the  gate-post.  Hood  took  two  butts  at  us 
and  one  at  Thomas  at  Nashville,  but  this  last  butt 
cured  him  from  butting, as  he  never  tried  it  again. 

On  the  22d  Hood  withdrew  from  his  main  line 
of  fortifications,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  nearer 
Atlanta.  This  induced  Sherman  to  think  that  the 
enemy  did  not  longer  intend  to  defend  the  city, 
but  in  this  Sherman  was  mistaken.  Hood  was 
only  drawing  us  on  tor  the  second  assault,  which 
was  made  in  a  desperate  manner.  Charge  after 
charge  was  made  upon  our  lines  from  right  to  left, 
and  in  a  manner  worthy  of  a  better  cause.  These 
charges  all  met  with  the  same  result — a  most 
crushing  repulse — and,  too,  at  a  most  terrible  cost 
of  life  on  the  part  of  the  rebels. 

Fortunately,  the  old  Sixth  Indiana  did  not  hap 
pen  to  be  on  the  front  line  in  any  of  these  deadly 


330  HISTORY    OK    THE   SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

engagements,  as  our  trip  around  to  the  left  did  not 
only  save  us  from  the  first  assault,  on  the  evening 
of  the  20th,  hut  placed  us  in  the  second  line.  This 
was  a  most  fortunate  affair  for  our  regiment,  for, 
indeed,  we  had  seen  so  much  hard  service  that, 
now  that  our  time  for  final  discharge  was  so  near 
at  hand,  it  would  have  heen  a  pity,  indeed,  for  any 
of  the  hoys  to  serve  this  long  and  then  not  get 
home.  However,  it  was  not  for  us  to  remain  on 
the  second  line  very  long,  as  we  were  again  placed 
in  tlie  front  when  the  lines  hegan  to  close  in  around 
the  city  on  the  23d.  Our  army  now  held  every 
railroad  running  into  the  city  hut  one  (or.  perhaps, 
two);  that  was  the  Macon  Railroad.  The  West 
Point  Railroad  intersects  the  Macon  Railroad  at 
Kast  Point,  a  town  ahout  ten  miles  south  of  At 
lanta,  and  as  this  Macon  road  was  Hood's  only 
source  for  supplies,  of  course  Sherman  made  a 
strike  for  it.  This  caused  a  general  move  around 
toward  the  right,  or  west  and  south  of  the  citv. 
Ahout  this  time  General  Howard  was  relieved  of 
the  command  of  the  Fourth  Corps,  and  General 
Stanley  placed  in  command.  Our  corps  still  re 
mained  in  its  position  on  the  left,  hut  close-up  to 
the  rebel  works,  while  the  -'Jonnies"  occupied 
the  gopher-holes  along  our  front. 

Ou  the  3d  of  August  a  general  movement  to  the 
right  was  commenced,  still  leaving  our  corps  in  its 
place,  on  the  left.  To  attract  the  attention  of  rebels 
from  this  right  flank  movement,  we  were  required 
to  make  a  vigorous  demonstration  along  the  line 
of  our  front,  even  throwing  shells  into  the  citv. 


SHERMAN'S  LINKS  DR\\\N  AROUND  ATLANTA.     331 

Agust  6th  still  finds  us  holding  the  same  line, 
but  about  this  time  Sherman  ordered  up,  from 
Chattanooga,  some  heavy  rifled  guns  to  batter  the 
city  while  the  great  heavy  shells  were  being  drop 
ped  over  into  the  city. 

Sherman  was  gradually  extending  his  lines  to 
the  right  toward  East  Point,  knowing  that  to  get 
possession  of  this  place,  would  cut  off  the  retreat 
as  well  as  the  supplies  of  Hood,  but  Sherman 
made  the  discovery,  that  Hood  held  well  fortih'cd 
lines  from  Decatur  on  the  Georgia  R.  R.,  directly 
east  of  Atlanfa,  all  the  way  around  the  city  in  our 
front  and  extending  to  East  Point  on  the  Macon  R. 
R.,  presenting  a  battle  front  of  about  fifteen  miles. 
Hood  was  holding  the  inside  line  and  if  it  was 
fifteen  miles  long,  how  long  must  Sherman's  line 
be  in  ordei\  to  cover  Hood's  front?  Sherman's 
lines  were  already  as  long  and  light  as  he  dare 
make  them,  and  this  put  the  "  Old  Man  "  to 
thinking.  Sherman  knew  that  Hood's  disposition, 
would  force  him  to  do  something  in  a  short  while, 
and  the  Old  Man  decided  to  let  him  "alone"  a 
little  while,  and  in  the  meanwhile  amuse  him  by 
throwing  a  twenty-pound  shell  into  the  city,  now 
and  then.  And  sure  enough  Hood,  just  as  Sher 
man  supposed  he  would,  committed  the  blunder  of 
sending  all  his  cavalry  some  ten  thousand  strong 
in  Sherman's  rear,  to  strike  his  communications. 
As  soon  as  Sherman  learned  of  this  move  to  his 
rear,  he  at  once  set  about  to  use  his  own  cavalry 
to  strike  the  Macon  R.  R.,  in  Hood's  rear,  and  Kil- 


332  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

patrick  was  ordered  to  do  the  work.  From  the  14tli 
to  tin-  18th,  there  was  continuous  fighting  on  the 
right,  while  our  own  corps  was  continually  mak 
ing  demonst rations,  like  we  were  going  to  make  a 
dash  on  the  lines  in  our  front,  any  hour  in  the  day. 
But,  Sherman  finally  hecoine  dissatisfied  with  the 
success  of  the  cavalry  and  decided  to  Hank  the 
city;  so  on  the  25th  of  August  our  corps,  the 
Fourth,  was  withdrawn  from  the  front  to  the  high 
ground  in  the  rear  of  the  Twentieth  Corps,  to 
cover  the  retirement  of  the  latter  ^>  the  farther 
side  of  the  Ohattahoochee  to  hold  the  railroad 
hridge,  and  to  ii'uard  the  material  there1  accumu 
lated.  The  morning  of  the  2(>th  found  us  resting 
quietly  in  camp,  with  orders  to  prepare  to  march 
at  once,  and  the  Fourth  Corps  did  march  away  to 
the  right  as  far  as  Mount  Gilead  church,  hut  this 
marching  order  was  not  oheyed  hy  the-  old  Sixth 
Indiana,  not  that  she  was  afraid  to  «'o,  or  disposed 
to  he  disobedient,  or  any  thing  of  that  kind.  But 
the  old  Sixth  had  orders  to  go  in  a  different  direc 
tion.  She-  was  notified  that  her  term  of  enlist 
ment  had  expired,  and  was  ordered  to  cease  firing ', 
and  to  turn  her  face  homeward,  and  to  report  to 
Indianapolis  for  final  discharge.  (f/on'oH*  Av/r*  / 
How  the  hearts  leaped  for  joy!  A  great  lump 
(tome  up  in  the  throat,  making  us  too  full  for  utter 
ance.  While,  '"the  eye,  in  spite  of  all  that  we 
could  do  "  grew  moist  with  tears  of  joy.  Home, 
Home,  Sweet  Home:  Father,  Mother,  Wife  and 
IJahies;  these  words  and  thoughts  alone  filled  the 


EXPIRATION    OF    TERM    OF    SERVICE.  333 

mind  of  the  few  of  us  who  were  left,  and  for  the 
first  time  in  our  history  we  turn  our  back  upon 
the  enemy,  and  strike  out  for  Home.  What 
strange  feelings  came  over  us,  as  we  widen  the 
space  between  us  and  the  front.  The  rattle  of  the 
musketry  grows  weaker  by  every  step,  until  fi 
nally  lost  to  the  ear  entirely;  the  pour  of  the  artil- 
lepy  towapd  Jonesboro  can  still  fee  heard,  but  grad 
ually  it  too  dies  away,  into  a  faint  rumble  like 
distant  thunder  and  it  too  is  soon  lost  to  our  hear 
ing.  Wai*  to  us  is  a  thing  of  the  past,  our  warfare 
is  over. 

The  reader  may  imagine,  but  the  writer  can  not 
describe  the  feelings  of  the  few  veterans  composing 
the  remnant  of  our  once  splendid  regiment.  Three 
years  ago,  young,  strong  and  full  of  life  and  vigor, 
we  bid  our  friends  good-by  and  started  to  the  front 
to  help  maintain  the  honor  of  the  nation,  and  pro 
tect  the  flag  of  our  country.  And  now,  after 
chasing  the  enemy  thousands  of  miles  through  the 
mud  and  slush  in  winter,  and  the  broiling  hot  sun 
and  heat  of  summer,  and  engaged  them  in  battle 
at  Shiloh,  Perryville,  Stone  River,  Chickamanga, 
Chattanooga,  Knoxville,  Buzzard  Roost,  Resaca, 
New  Hope,  and  Kenesaw,  besides  hundreds  of  mi 
nor  engagements,  in  everyone  of  which  the  enemy 
was  made  to  fly  for  his  life,  except  wr,  that  of 
Chickamauga.  And,  now,  finally,  when  we  have 
him  completely  surrounded  iu  the  very  heart  of 
his  own  country,  and  we  are  still  found  at  our  post 
and  ready  to  strike  the  final  blow,  we  are  told  to 


334  HISTORY    OF   THE   SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

hold  !  you  have  dour  enough,  leave  the  crushing 
blow  to  those  who  have  done  less  than  you,  that 
you  may  be  spared  to  your  friends  to  tell  the  story. 
Go  /iont<  and  toll  your  friends  that  the  enemy  is 
ours.  Go  home  and  enjoy  the  blessings  of  a  grate 
ful  country.  Tired  and  weary,  worn  to  the  quick 
by  our  heavy  burdens,  covered  with  dirt  and  tilth 
from  the  camp  and  field,  and  our  powder-burnt 
hands  and  faces,  we  willingly  obey  this  our  last 
order,  and  turn  our  faces  homeward.  But  before 
we  leave  the  front  we  must  account  tor  a  few  of 
our  comrades  who  are  missing. 

Henry  Smith,  of  Company  C,  was  killed  near 
Marietta,  on  July  4,  1864. 

John  Hill,  of  Company  C,  was  killed  near  At 
lanta,  on  July  25,  1864. 

James  Johnson,  of  Company  E,  was  wounded 
near  Atlanta,  July  '25,  1X64. 

Leonidas  Bryant,  of  Comyany  F,  was  captured 
near  Atlanta,  and  Thomas  Duxan,  of  Company  F, 
was  also  captured  near  Atlanta. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  KOUTE  HOME. 

We  land  at  Indianapolis — We  are  paid  otT  and  get  our  discharges 
— The  final  good-bye. 

Yes,  we  widen,  the  space  between  us  mid  the 
muskets'  rattle  and  the  cannon's  roar  ;  step  by  step 
forward  we  move;  no  stragglers,  no  orders  to 
close  up  in  the  rear;  how  nimble  the  boys  seem: 
there  must  be  something  of  special  interest  ahead. 
But  this  tramping  process  is  too  slow  for  us,  so 
just  after  crossing  the  Chattahoochee  we  round 
into  Vining  Station  and  take  the  train  for  Chatta 
nooga,  about  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  *26th 
of  August.  This  beat  walking  all  to  pieces,  al 
though  we  rode  in  box  cars,  which,  you  know,  are 
not  provided  with  cushioned  seats.  We  had  just 
130  miles  to  make  Chattanooga;  but  the  reader 
will  be  surprised  when  I  tell  him  that  we  actually 
made  the  rapid  speed  of  ten  miles  [in  hour.  Ar 
riving  in  Chattanooga  about  daylight  next  morn 
ing,  the  old  regiment  left  the  train  and  went  into 
camp  up  on  the  Rossville  road,  and  right  close  to 
the  house  where  Joshua  Chitwood  and  I  stole  the 
chicken.  I  went  up  next  day  and  offered  to  pay 
the  lady  for  it,  but  she  refused  to  take  anything, 
and  said  it  was  all  right.  We  had  hardly  got  our 
tents  pitched  until  our  convalescents  at  Chatta- 


336  HISTORY    OF   THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

nooga  came  up  to  see  us.  Here  we  took  a  general 
wash-up,  and  got  plenty  of  rations.  While  here 
our  recruits,  whose  time  had  not  expired,  were 
transferred  to  other  regiments,  while  all  the  con 
valescents  of  our  own  regiment,  who  were  able  to 
travel,  were  ordered  to  join  us  on  our  homeward 
trip. 

We  left  Chattanooga  on  the  30th,  about  4  o'clock 
in  the  evening,  and  daylight  next  morning  found 
us  at  Stevenson.  Here  we  learned  that  the  rebel. 
Wheeler,  had  destroyed  the  railroad  on  our  direct 
route,  and  we  did  not  get  away  from  Stevenson 
until  September  1,  in  the  afternoon,  and  then  we 
took  the  train  by  way  of  Iluntsville,  where  we  ar 
rived  next  morning.  \\re  lay  here  only  a  short 
while  and  moved  on  by  \vay  of  Athens.  Here  we 
met  Wheeler's  fortes  and  had  to  get  oft'  and  form 
in  line  of  battle.  But  Wheeler  did  not  wish  to 
tight,  and  moved  off  rapidly.  We  again  loaded  up 
and  pulled  out  toward  Pulaski.  We  went  only  a 
short  distance  until  we  found  the  track  torn  up. 
This  was  repaired,  and  the  next  morning  we  moved 
on  up  to  1'ulaski,  lay  here  only  a  little  while  and 
moved  on.  We  run  out  about  twelve  miles  and 
again  found  the  track  destroyed. 

The  train  started  back  to  I'ulaski,  and  run  only 
a  short  distance  until  our  train  run  oft  the  track. 
The  rebels  had  got  around  in  our  rear  and  torn  up 
the  track.  Eight  of  our  cars  were  badly  smashed 
up,  but  nobody  was  seriously  hurt.  We  had  a 
terrible  time,  however,  repairing  the  road  and  get- 


HOMEWARD    BOUND.  337 

ting  the  cars  hack  on  the  track.  Here  is  where 
the  boys  tore  down  the1  old  rebel's  house.  With 
the  help  of  other  troops  we-got  on  the  track  again 
all  right,  and  started  back  to  where  the  road  was 
torn  up  in  our  front  and  began  work  on  the  de 
stroyed  track.  It  was  the  I  Oth  of  September  when 
we  got  ready  to  move  on.  We  run  on  up  to  Co 
lumbia,  and  here  we  left  the  train,  loaded  our  bag 
gage  on  wagons,  and  took  it  afoot  over  the  river 
and  until  we  come  to  the  cars  again.  We  boarded 
the  train  and  run  up  about  twelve  miles,  and  again 
come  to  where  the  track  was  torn  up.  Here  we 
got  oii  and  walked  about  three  miles  to  Thomp 
son  Station.  Here  we  stopped  over  night.  Xext 
day,  the  l^th,  we  took  the  train  for  Xashville, 
where  we  arrived  some  time  in  the  night.  Nearly 
all  the  boys  went  to  hotels  this  morning  and 
got  a  square  meal.  We  lay  here  in  Nashville  only 
one  dav,  but  the  boys  had  a  big  time,  and  not  a 
few  got  quite  jolly,  but  on  the  14th  we  again  took 
the  train  and  pulled  out  for  Louisville,  where  we 
arrived  next  morning  early.  We  went  at  once  to 
Jeffersonville,  and  that  same  after.noon  took  the 
train  for  Indianapolis,  where  we  arrived  in  the1 
night.  From  the  train  we  went  to  Camp  Carring- 
ton.  This  brings  us  up  to  the  lOth,  in  the  even 
ing,  and  this  night  we  rest  quietly  in  the  capital 
city  of  our  own  Hoosier  State. 

From  this   up  to  the  :22d,  it  was  a  "free-for-all  n 
race.     The  boys  had  things  pretty  much  their  own 
way,  while  the  officers  were  preparing  the  pay-rolls 
22 


338  HISTORY    OF    THE    SIXTH    REGIMENT. 

and  final  muster-out  rolls.  But  on  the  *22d  day  of 
September,  1864,  the  rolls  were  all  ready,  and  the 
hoys  marched  to  the  Capitol  Building,  and  signed 
the  pay-rolls  for  the  last  time,  and  received  their 
tinal  discharge,  and  rolled  out  for  /«>///<  on  the 
first  trains.  This  terminated  the  existence  of  the 
old  Sixth  as  a  regimental  organization,  and  like 
drift-wood  upon  a  turbulent  stream,  we  have  heeu 
tossed  about  by  the  storms  of  life  until  we  are 
no\v  scattered  throughout  the  length  and  hreadth 
of  the  land. 

"  Poor  wanderers  of  a  stormy  day. 
From  wave  to  wave  we're  driven." 

A  great  many  of  our  comrades  have  long  since 
been  stranded  upon  Hie  stormy  beach,  while  a  few 
still  cling  to  the  old  ship  as  she  rushes  down  the 
stream  of  Time.  The  breakers  ahead  of  us  are 
many  and  dangerous.  In  trying  to  avoid  one.  we 
are  dashed  against  another,  and  we,  too.  will  soon 
go  down  with  the  sinking  ship.  But  my  dear 
old  comrades  we  have  this  to  console  us  in  our 
old  age:  That  when  the  life  of  our  Nation  was  in 
danger,  and  the  old  Ship  of  State  was  about  to 
sink,  we  dashed  into  the  breakers,  at  the  risk  of 
our  own  lives,  and  went  to  her  rescue  at  the  cost 
of  our  own  blood  and  trials  and  hardships  untold. 
AVe  brought  her  safely  to  shore,  with  her  colors 
proudly  floating  to  the  hrce/e.  and  to-day  we  see 
her  mistress  of  the  oceans  all  over  the  civilixed 
world. 


LAST    ROLL-CALL.  839 

Our  labors  in  helping  to  crush  the  great  rebellion 

will  be  best  appreciated  by  generations  yet  to 
come,  and  when  the  last  old  soldier  shall  have 
passed  to  liis  final  resting  place,  then  our  children 

will  rise  up  and  call  us  b/cwt/. 

IIOW    .MANY    ANSWKKKM    AT    THE    LAST    ROLL-CALL. 

The  number  of  officers  of  the  Sixth  Regiment, 
present  to  answer  to  their  names  at  the  final  roff.- 
c<dl,  was  twenty-three.  Of  this  number,  seven  were 
regimental  officers,  and  only  one  of  the  seven  was 
of  the  original  staff — Dr.  Sell  ussier.  Of  the  other 
six,  three  had  been  promoted  from  the  line  and 
three  from  the  ranks.  Of  the  sixteen  line  officers, 
two  only  were  of  the  original  organization;  all 
the  others  had  been  brought  up  from  the  rank. 

We  had  for  final  muster-out  : 

1   Lieutenant-Colonel. 

1  Major. 

1    Adjutant. 

1  Quartermaster. 

1   Chaplain. 

1    Surgeon. 

1   Assistant  Surgeon. 

8  Captains. 

8  First  Lieutenants. 
47)  enlisted  men  of  Company  A. 
40  B. 

4fi          "  "  "          C. 


340  HISTORY    OF   TIIK    SIXTH    RECIMENT. 

31  enlisted  men  of  Company  D. 
27  E. 
43  F. 

32  <;. 
31  II. 

30  I. 

31  K. 

37.")  men  still  in  the  regiment  when  its  time  expired. 

Of  this  numher  .~>4  were  at  home  wounded,  or 
too  sick  to  report  for  final  muster  out,  hut  had 
their  discharges  sent  to  them.  Five  officers  of  the 
regiment  were  killed  in  action.  Three  officers 
died  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Company  A  had  13  men   killed   in  action. 
B  11     « 


•• 

c 

11 

It 

I) 

3 

u 

E 

6 

u 

F 

11 

«» 

(i 

1 

" 

II 

7 

" 

I 

4 

l< 

K 

5 

Total...  7;>>  killed  in  action. 
Company  A  had   6  men  die  of  wounds. 


I  )  -2 

K  4 


LAST    ROLL-CALL.  341 

Company  F   had   2  men  die  of  wounds. 
G  0     "       M 

II  ;»,      -         « 

!  j       u         u 

"         K  4     " 

Total —  38  died  of  wounds. 

Company  A  reported  10  men  wounded  in  action. 
«          13         «  #     u  u  t; 

*<        n       "         _L    K          «  « 

^ 

u 
(4 

G  31     " 

u  I!  u  17       " 


Total 121  wounded  in  action. 

The  officers  not  already  reported,  who  were 
wounded,  are  Colonel  H.  Tripp  and  Captain  C.  C. 
Briaiit,  of  Company  K,  and  Lieutenant  L.  II.  Hill, 
of  Company.  K. 

'The  following  condensed  statement  will  show 
the  casualties  among  the  officers  : 

Colonel  Philomen  P.  .Baldwin  was  killed  at 
Chickamauo-a,  September  10,  18<i8. 

Captain  Samuel  Russell  was  killed  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  September  10,  1863. 


B 

8 

u 

C 

4 

u 

D 

16 

'. 

E 

12 

b  » 

F 

4 

(( 

G 

31 

« 

II 

17 

44 

I 

-2 

it 

K 

17 

U 

o42  HISTORY    OP'   THE    SIXTH    RECIMKNT. 

Captain  Frank  P.  Strader  died  December  1;">, 
1S1J8,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Missionary 
Ridge. 

Captain  Andivw  F.  Conner,  killed  in  action  at 
New  Hope,  Georgia,  May  27,  18(14. 

Ca[>tain  Andrew  J.  Xewland,  killed  in  action  at 
New  Hope.  Georgia,  May  27.  1864. 

Major  Samuel  F.  McKeehan,  died  -July  lo,  18(54, 
of  wounds  received  in  action  at  New  Hope,  Geor 
gia,  May  27,  18(54. 

First  Lieutenant  Alanson  Solomon,  died  May 
11,  18(52,  of  disease,  at  Washington,  Indiana. 

First  Lieutenant  William  A.  Cumtnings  was 
kille<l  in  action  at  New  Elope, Georgia, May  27, 1864. 

First  Lieutenant  George  B.  Green  died  October 
28,  I8(5o,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Brown's 
Ferry,  October  27th,  18(53. 

Second  Lieutenant  Jerome  I*.  Holcomb  died 
June  12,  18(5:},  of  accidental  wounds. 

Second  Lieutenant  Charles  Xeal  died  June  22, 
18(54,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  New  Hope, 
(Ja.,  May  27,  1864. 

Tlie  number  of  men  who  died  of  disease  in  the 
regiment  during  the  service  were1: 

Company  A,     4  died  of  disease. 

B,  14     " 

C,  7    '< 

D,  13     " 

E,  11     " 

F,  7     •< 

G,  7     u 


LAST    ROLL-CALL. 

Company  IT,    7  died  of  disease. 
'  I,   17     "•' 
K,    9     " 

Total. ..93  died  of  disease. 

The  number  discharged  from  the  service  on  ac 
count  of  disability  were: 


Company  A,     7  men  discharged. 

B,  2 

C,  1(3 

D,  19 


E,  25  " 

F,  21  " 

G,  17  -4 
11,21  « 
I,    25  " 
K,  21  " 

Total.  ...190  discharged  for  disability. 
The  number  in  the  regiment  captured  were: 
Company  A,    5  men  captured. 
B,     5     " 

a  p         q       a 

vy? 

D,  14     " 

E,  2     " 

F,  4 


G,     3 


H,    3     " 

T          K       u  a 

1,        0 

K,     1,  and  lie  was  wounded. 
Total.  ...51  men  captured. 


844 


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